Other nations stop the carnage; why can’t we?
I was moved to write this letter after reading Therese McKenzie’s letter (“Police Shootings Stem From a Nation Awash in Guns,” Sept. 23).
I naively believed that after the Sandy Hook massacre, something would be done to enact sensible gun laws in the U.S. Sadly, I was wrong.
Following the Dunblane school massacre in Scotland two decades ago, gun laws were quickly changed, resulting in a significant drop in weapon-related offenses.
In the U.K., owning a gun is considered a privilege rather than a right, and self-defense is not accepted as a reason for applying for gun ownership. No handguns or semi-automatic pump action rifles are permitted. Hunters are allowed hunting rifles as are farmers for hunting and protecting their land from predatory wildlife.
In the U.S., there are 91 gun deaths every day. Surely, it is way past time for sensible limits on guns and stricter gun laws, as well as registration and licensing of guns that are sold in the U.S. BARBARA WATSON
Scott heartbreak and turmoil that followed. I am certain that most thoughtful and patriotic Americans would never dream that a presidential candidate would refer to the possible assassination of an opponent in a joking or political manner. But Donald Trump knows no boundaries of decency. He believes his “off-the-cuff” statements are signs of straight talk, whereas they are signs of the lack of civility.
Mr. Trump says the Secret Service agents for Hillary Clinton should leave their weapons at home and then see what happens. There is no reasonable justification for such a statement by an intelligent person.
Ms. Clinton and the Democrats are not for the repeal of the Second Amendment. That is truly absurd doublespeak by Mr. Trump. He believes that holding back uncensored thoughts is being controlled by the PC police. Mr. Trump, this is called being mature and following our kind cultural values — values Mr. Trump likes to make reference to often. Yet he “jokes” of the possible shooting of Hillary Clinton?
Of course, what is to be expected from a man who admires a Russian dictator whose political enemies are shot down in the streets of Moscow and mysteriously killed by radioactive material.
Yes, Ms. Clinton was wrong to call a group of folks deplorable. She missed the mark. It is Mr. Trump who sits tall on the tower of the deplorables.
DAN WYSE Upper St. Clair
Peter Kohnke’s criteria for president of the United States (“Make a New Prerequisite for Presidential Candidates: Experience as a Senator or Governor,” Sept. 21 letters) would exclude Presidents Washington, Adams, Madison, Taylor, Fillmore, Lincoln, Grant, Garfield, Arthur, Hoover, Eisenhower and Ford. DALE FRUMAN Murrysville