Letter to the Editor

Posted 8/15/19

Dear Editor:

Years ago I wrote about the way so many quickly blame any and all violence on guns. This past week has been an emotional rollercoaster for the poor victims of the latest shootings, …

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Letter to the Editor

Posted

Dear Editor:

Years ago I wrote about the way so many quickly blame any and all violence on guns. This past week has been an emotional rollercoaster for the poor victims of the latest shootings, and we pray for them daily.

The result was a nationwide knee jerk reaction that tried to put the cause entirely on the gun. However, what can we expect when we raise our kids entertaining themselves with violent, shoot-‘em-up video games and movies? We must look to the underlying causes, which surely include the psychotropic drugs that most of these perpetrators are found to be taking. Our evening news is plastered with drug commercials that always end with the legal caveat, a litany of all the possible side-effects.

We have over 40,000 automobile deaths each year, but we do not blame the car as we know most accidents could be prevented for various reasons. Each accident is wisely investigated for underlying causes and responsibilities. Was anyone guilty of reckless behavior, any drugs or alcohol involved? We should proceed with the same wisdom regarding gun violence. The media and some politicians seem to capitalize on every shooting. Have we become a reactive society lacking in judgment and sound reasoning on this subject?

Thanks for listening,

Ken Masat

Alba