The Open Forum

We must respond to Uvalde

Re: “19 children killed,” May 25 news story

Another horrific shooting and families left to grieve for the rest of their lives. Why are we so stupid that we can’t enact reasonable gun-control laws? Why aren’t we pressuring our legislators to ban assault weapons and demand expanded background checks? Gun deaths in this country are an epidemic that will only continue until we stand up and demand action.

Karen Roberts, Littleton

What if we had a constitutional amendment that read: “Because transportation is critical for the economy of a free state, the right to own a horse and tie it up at any business that serves the public shall not be infringed.” Would we interpret it today to apply to automobiles? Would driver’s licensing, vehicle registration, and parking regulations be a matter for the Supreme Court to judge? Could people graze their horses in public parks?

The Second Amendment bases the right to bear arms on the need for a well-regulated militia to ensure the security of the country. At the time the Constitution was written, citizen soldiers with their own primitive weapons (by today’s standards) had recently opposed the British at Lexington and Concord.

Today we have a National Guard and its armories. The Guard fulfills the need for a wellregulated militia, and its members do not have to provide their own flintlocks. We no longer need a completely unregulated armed citizenry to ensure our security. In fact, our well-armed citizenry has proven, time and again, to be destructive of that end.

We should interpret the Second Amendment in the context of our times. Instead of repealing it, just declare it moot! States and communities should have the right to regulate guns according to the wishes of their citizens, just like with cars and other matters of law.

David Wolf, Lakewood

I am a proud gun owner. I love the freedom to own a firearm, codified by the Constitution of the United States, upheld by the court, and defended by my fellow Americans. I am also in shock and full of sorrow.

As I write this, news continues to come in on the shooting at Robb Elementary in Uvalde, Texas. The most important question: What possesses a person, just 18, to walk into a school in his community and open fire? Why, per local news, did it take two and a half hours for parents to get kids? Why was this shooter in the school for about an hour? How did he have such easy access to classrooms? Why can we not come together as adults and find common ground to address this and not have an “all or nothing” mentality? Why can’t we let the families grieve before the politics start?

I will not give up my guns, but I absolutely understand the responsibility of this freedom, and we’re failing.

Craig Winter, Aurora

I’ve already given up attending concerts, fairs and rallies because of mass shootings. Now must I also be afraid to go to the grocery store, movie theater and school and use public transportation? Apparently so.

Listen up, legislators. It is way past time to enact meaningful gun control measures.

And by the way, you’d best also focus on mental health. Murdering 19 children in a school isn’t entirely a gun issue, although it would not have occurred without this weapon.

Terri Tilliss, Parker

In the wake of recent horrific mass murders, left-leaning politicians will renew their call for gun control. Exactly the opposite is what is required to halt the slaughter of innocent children in schools.

Teachers and security officers must be given their own handguns and they must be taught how to use them. Labeling certain areas of a community — especially schools — gun-free zones makes it easy for crazies and others bent on killing to carry out their psychotic plans.

More security in the person of parents, veterans, and the like, if they are not sufficiently armed themselves, will not be able quickly to apprehend a maniac intent on taking innocent lives. We must put guns within their reach.“gun control” may be a powerful election-year slogan, but it does not come close to the positive solution of “arm the teachers!”

Mary Anne Little, Denver