Keeping our citizens safe

Dear editor:

Satan is alive and well in the United States! Once again we have a mass shooting in a Florida high school by a disturbed young man who was ignored by school faculty when stated that he wanted to be “a professional school shooter.” We remember the carnage at the Columbine High School and, more recently, the mass murder in Las Vegas.

Why do we continue to see scenarios play out occasionally where the innocent suffer and die needlessly? Governors and law enforcement personnel stand at microphones pronouncing their condolences and vowing that this kind of tragedy will not happen again; time lapses and this event fades into history and another killing spree takes place. The sheriff in Parkland, Fla., said he hoped President Trump’s infrastructure initiative will include making schools safe for the students. We can only hope and pray that it will take place.

What measures should be taken to ensure that our citizens will remain safe?

• Install magnetometers and X-ray machines at designated entrances of buildings, stadiums, etc.

• Conduct periodic inspections of schools, offices, etc., for unauthorized weapons.

• Prohibit gun stores to sell assault weapons, the parts and the ammunition.

• Family owned gun safes should have two different keys or two combinations locks.

• Enact legislation to outlaw Xbox games depicting murder, mayhem and war.

These few suggestions, if enacted, may help thwart some deranged persons from implementing their plans to take the lives of others, but unfortunately, it will not eradicate the problem.

Ever since Cain killed his brother (Genesis 4:8), the desire to demonstrate one’s dominance over another is to kill him. Jesus told His disciples that in the final days, many will betray and hate (kill) one another (Matthew 24:10).

Finally, parents need to attend the church of their choice as a family and study the Word of God in Sunday school and at home to show that they can have a solid religious foundation pleasing to Him

(2 Timothy 2:15-16). There will come a time, and now is, that many will not listen to the truth of the Bible, but turn to false tales (2 Timothy 4:3-4). Dads, you are the head of your households, as ordained by God, and will be held responsible for nurturing your family’s religious upbringing (Ephesians 6:4; Colossians 3:21).

Remember that Satan is not your friend; he wants to destroy you and your loved ones. Turn your heart to God, because He loves and cares for you (John 3:16). Donald Cunningham Hot Springs