SCHOOL SHOOTINGS

Gun laws and vocal students

Re: “I refuse to accept that we’re helpless,” Feb. 18 Hava Leipzig Holzhauer column.

I agree with Hava Leipzig Holzhauer that we are not helpless on the issue of gun violence in schools. The outspoken reactions by the students at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, who are so bright, articulate and clear-minded, and who are the victims of this violence, show that they understand the issue and are rightly demanding action by Washington. I admire and wholly support their efforts and hope they are successful, and that their movement expands throughout the country.

If the Washington politicians, who can’t see beyond their own personal and party interests, don’t respond to these students’ demands to deal with this issue, they don’t deserve to be in office. It makes me wish that we could furlough all the politicians (without pay) and replace them with these students so they can deal with the issue. I think then we would stand a better chance of getting a real solution. Washington politicians should be ashamed of themselves for their inaction. Joseph W. Heard, Denver

I am a high school student, and, as a high school student, I can see that no action is being taken in response to yet another school shooting.

I’ve seen posts on Facebook urging Congress to take action — although I doubt congressmen see the posts of my 16-yearold friends. I’ve heard my principal’s announcement over the intercom asking for a 30-second moment of silence. I’ve seen debates about gun control on the news.

What I haven’t seen is action. At my school, there has been no change in policies regarding mental health, nor have students been notified of any action we can take to prevent the creation of monsters like Nikolas Cruz, the accused Florida school shooter.

I suspect that the prevailing response to this tragedy will be to conduct more lockdown drills, where we will practice hiding before we have to do so while confronted with a disturbed student brandishing an assault rifle. Ava Cecil, Lakewood

I am 17 years old. I have lived through 32 mass shootings, meaning I have seen more news stories about innocent people gunned down than I have celebrated birthdays.

I grew up with shootings. I have drills every month to prep for them. My math teacher in seventh grade warned me that the gunshots would be loud. I am in the generation that is scared of going to school in fear of being shot.

I am tired of every mass shooting becoming forgotten and then overshadowed by another. I am tired of praying. I refuse to make the deaths of these Florida students and school staffers a sacrifice for the right to bear arms. I refuse to allow the most selfish of political debates put the desire to own a weapon over the lives of children.

I am 17 years old and this is my 32nd shooting. Madison Mccoy, Highlands Ranch

I am a fifth-grade teacher and I am exhausted by having to worry about the safety of my children and me every day. If the time ever came, of course I would sacrifice myself to protect my kids, but I should never have to worry about that. I’m 26. I just got married eight months ago. I just bought my first house. I shouldn’t live in fear or wake up screaming from the nightmares I get about a shooter coming into my classroom. It’s time that our government stand up to the NRA and stop taking donations until meaningful conversation leads to actual change. Mental health needs prioritization. Gun control needs to be prioritized. It is unacceptable that our nation’s future lives in fear of being attacked or shot while trying to learn and better themselves.

I’m a teacher, and I’m taking action by writing to my representatives. I urge others to do the same. Allyson Krupansky, Westminster

I am a public school teacher and have been serving students in Denver for the last 14 years. I was a junior in high school when Columbine happened. I was a few years into my career when Sandy Hook took place. I have never worked without the very real fear that a shooting could take place in my school.

I have sat through countless active shooter drills, and a few very frightening lockdowns. I bravely look my students in the eye and tell them they will be OK. I can’t tell them that lie any longer. I can’t continue to function in this career choice knowing that lawmakers have the power to protect me and my students, and will not because they value their paychecks and donations more than our lives.

I urge our representatives in Congress to please work towards common-sense gun safety in our country. By continuing to ignore this issue, by refusing to engage in the discussion that is so needed, you are putting the stamps on future death certificates. Will it be me? Will it be your colleague’s child? Thoughts and prayers will not stop it — but actions will. Edwina Rashell Lucero, Arvada

Bill O’leary, The Washington Post Students stage a “lie-in” last Monday outside the White House in response to the Feb. 14 school shooting in Florida. The teens said they want stronger gun control and vowed to be heard on the issue.