U.S. must stop mass murders without harm to rights

Any decent individual cannot be but disgusted and outraged at the depths of depravity in a calculated mass shooting of schoolchildren. What should be our response? The surviving young people have a reasonable emotive response. Their subsequent passionate idealism ought to be applauded, forcing an examination of the issues. However, idealism must be tempered with a reasoned starting point.

Are we willing to live in a free society? To be sure there are limits to freedom, for example, yelling fire in a movie theater. These limits must not radically constrain or obliterate a constitutional right. Nonetheless, with reasonable limits, there are still dangers in living within a free society. Should we outlaw guns, toy guns or soldiers, violent killing video games, etc.? Which mentally ill individuals should be incarcerated against their will? Should suggestive violent postings on social media result in law enforcement intervention and adjudication?

Perhaps a reasoned starting point should begin with the development of standards in school safety procedures with federal, state and local dollars to beef up school safety. Another area should include scientific studies funded by private (the National Education Association and American Federation of Teachers) and government dollars.

Abhorrent murders of helpless schoolchildren must end, but society is compelled to do this in a balanced, reasoned and apolitical manner, ensuring preservation of our constitutional rights. Anything less is meaningless political bantering, a deadly and ineffective approach thus far. REV. JAMES HOLLAND

West Deer