Protect the people

Thank you for your cleareyed and right-on Our View (“In 2018, make guns the issue,” Feb. 18). Those of us among the very large majority of compassionate Americans who understand the absolute dire and preventable health crisis of gun violence in this country must recognize that we cannot be silent.

Let us demand action and say no more with our vote. If officials won’t do anything to protect us and our most vulnerable, then they must be held accountable and voted out of office. We must do our due diligence and look at vote records and funding from the National Rifle Association (see votesmart.org) as well as question every single candidate on how they will prevent gun violence.

Start by voting out members of the so-called Freedom Caucus, whose obstructionist, far-right ideology has absolutely nothing to do with governing or what the clear majority of Americans want and of whom our very own GOP Rep. Steve Pearce, a candidate for governor, has been identified as a member. We cannot let them continue to push a backwards course in this country. Look closely at our own state Legislature, where Republicans as well as many Democrats appear to be beholden to the NRA’s myth that we cannot be an outdoors sport state as well as have common-sense legislation when it comes to guns.

Claiming gun rights is complicity, period. Blood is on the hands, not just of the NRA and the corrupt officials who accept their money in return for inaction (and not only inaction but astonishing attempts to make gun laws even looser), but also on the voters who keep these people in office, on the voters who refuse to talk beyond the Second Amendment and mental illness and security.

I am in awe of the students from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School who are raising their voices and calling out the “BS” in this country that stops us from saving lives. I am in awe, but I am also extremely saddened that these kids are forced to be the leaders because we have done nothing.

The government has a responsibility to protect the people with reasonable laws. Instead, they have put us all in danger to the point that parents fear sending their children to school. Is this the country we want? Make your vote count to prevent gun violence and hold every single politician accountable. Remember — in no other country.

C.M. Cannella lives in Santa Fe.