It would seem (though I may be wrong) that they operate on the principle that it is better to have 10, nay 100, nay 1,000 dead school children than to have one “responsible gun owner” be inconvenienced by some form of meaningful gun control. Or worse, to be denied the liberty, the freedom, the God-given right to own a military-style assault rifle with unlimited amounts of ammunition. In America, children are expendable. Guns are not.

Gonzalo Martinez, La Porte

Once again, we have witnessed a mass shooting at a school. This time at a church school in Nashville, Tenn. I urge all readers to, again, look at the photo of the young girl with her face pressed against the school bus window, demonstrating her complete fear and agony. We should all feel this fear and agony. How can the United States continue to allow the sale of AR-15s and other assault-type weapons to the general public? As a physician, I urge the paralyzed elected officials to take action. Our faces say it all.

Deborah Zygmunt, Missouri City

Another shooting, another questionable reason to kill, a river of tears and endless heartbreak. Our leaders hide their faces, chant their endless tropes, throw their excuses and lies in the faces of the injured and brokenhearted. We must believe that we have killed enough in all kinds of places to placate this beast.

Maybe we should believe in a new truth about this slaughter: “Guns don’t kill people. Politicians do.”

Bill Klimko, Spring

After 19 children were killed in Uvalde and now three killed in Nashville, it is clear gun violence is a mental health issue. 

You have to be one mentally sick, godless human being to be in an elected position of power and do absolutely nothing to prevent the further killing of children. 

John Cobarruvias, Houston

The NRA Republicans have apparently, finally, unveiled their immigration reform plan: to make America so deadly, so dangerous, that people from other nations — Syria, Haiti, Venezuela, Colombia, Cuba, Mexico — will prefer to stay home, where it is safer.

Paul N. Spellman, Richmond

The National Rigor-Mortis Association, otherwise known as the NRA, will likely be celebrating yet another shooting at a school. Shootings are good for NRA business. The more dead kids, the higher the gun sales, and the higher the profits for people who could care less about the Second Amendment. I don’t know if I have ever heard the NRA ever express real remorse for any shootings and the deaths of kids and adults. They do, however, spend a lot on PR for gun sales.

Scott Weeden, Houston

There is much talk about criminals and being in a jail or prison. Bottom line, do the crime, do the time. There is much talk about their living conditions. They have a roof over their head, certain medical help, showers. Yes, living behind bars is not great but they have meals. Why complain?

It seems there’s no real punishment for the crime committed. There needs to be punishment to discourage criminal activities. 

With the Nashville shooting, I say, blame the finger on the trigger. This has to stop.

Now this is harsh, but a criminal found guilty of using a weapon to kill or hurt others should lose the trigger finger. Is this more harsh than a person losing their life? This is supported by none other than God. Lust with an eye, remove the eye; do damage by a hand, lose a hand. This is just a finger. Think how many will think twice before using the trigger finger. I’ll lay my two cents on the table that killing will go down. Stronger punishment needs to be put into place.

James E. Muecke, Houston

Refinery

Regarding “At LyondellBasell’s soon-to-close Houston refinery, hundreds of workers worry about ‘starting over’,” (March 23): I moved to Houston in 1985 as president of the newly formed Lyondell Petrochemical Company. This refinery was part of that operation. The entire business was unprofitable at the time, but the strong workforce at Lyondell quickly brought it back to profitability and continued good performance. I have many wonderful memories from this location.

I am sorry that many good people will lose their jobs at the refinery. To all plant managers, I think I can safely recommend any of these people who apply for positions at your plants. I feel certain that you can hire them with confidence.

Bob Gower, Houston