Debating the nation’s gun laws in the wake of the mass shooting in Las Vegas

Re: “Never mind the prayers; Colorado’s Team NRA sold its soul,” Oct. 8 Diane Carman column; and “Want to reduce gun sales? Stop opposing guns,” Oct. 8 Jay Ambrose column.

The National Rifle Association is a more powerful lobby than the vast majority who want peace in our own land. Set aside the second half of the problem is corporate lobbies. My sideways question is how to socialize those few gun owners, all too enthralled with the power of a gun, and most likely to shoot. Push them toward more mature gunowners by asking all owners to form clubs.

Enthusiasts will talk about this favorite topic. Incentives can start with doubling the price of background checks when someone is not a member of a club. Double again when a club doesn’t recommend the buyer, track gun classes completed, liaise with forestry or wildlife officials, police or military. Lone buyers’ background checks could cost more than the gun is worth. Gun clubs could become a more powerful lobby than gun sellers. Balance rights with responsibilities. Walt Geisel, Denver

Gun power in America is a religion. The worship provides a deep sense of security, self-esteem, sense of independence and control.

Since a family friend lost her son at Columbine and another friend’s student suffered brain damage at Aurora, I have called, written and marched for common-sense gun control. I fear I have no more influence than when discussing widely differing religious fervor. But we have tried to stop religions that harm others. We require vaccinations before starting school even though some don’t believe. We have eradicated ritual human sacrifice from religious practice. There are many ways we could allow the basics of the gun religion to go on while protecting the public health. Our leaders must think beyond their next election, or that of their party, and try to build a peaceful, self-sustaining balance of rights versus safety. Barbara Baring, Golden

I’ve never owned a gun. I never wanted the responsibility. But from 2008-16, I wondered if I’d eventually need an assault rifle to defend myself against a government aching to disarm us for our own good, that lied repeatedly to sell us a health insurance fiasco, kneecapped the economic recovery to enforce employer mandates, silenced opposition using the IRS, and was abetted by a media that demonizes as “bigot” anyone who disagrees with progressive policies.

The Founders didn’t want guns for duck hunting; they wanted a deterrent against a government which could tax them, search their homes, seize their property, and enforce loyalty to king, his edicts, and even his religion, with the world’s mightiest military.

Donald Trump sees our enemies as being abroad. U.S. gun sales have declined since he took office. Maybe Americans now feel that government will limit itself to protecting us. Steve Baur, Westminster

As a civics teacher, I am very concerned about my students wrapping their brains around the fact that Congress does nothing. The takeaway my students are getting is that the NRA controls Congress and that no one with any real power dares challenge the NRA. As James Madison wrote in Federalist No. 10, the danger of factions is still with us today, as the NRA seems hell-bent on allowing legislation removing restrictions on silencers and armor-piercing bullets to go forward.

Have they no shame? The NRA and Congress cannot just hold up their hands and say there is nothing we as a nation can do. Congress needs to regain its mojo and regulate these important issues. Defending the Second Amendment must also come with a responsibility to regulate guns, silencers and armor-piercing bullets.

The safety of all depends on commonsense legislation that curtails the evils of society, and we could start with banning silencers and automatic weapons. Michael Corey, Englewood