The question was simple but unsettling: Will the recent string of shootings at events long considered safe—county fairs, downtown celebrations, even daytime gatherings—change how people live their lives?

Nearly 300 readers responded, and their answers painted a sobering portrait of fear, frustration, and resignation in a state where firearms are nearly everywhere.

Together, the voices reveal three broad themes: a profound change in personal behavior, a simmering anger at politicians and culture, and a stubborn belief that society has lost its way.

Living With Fear

The most immediate theme to emerge was practical: many people already avoid large crowds. The Cuyahoga and Summit county fair shootings, followed by wild gunfire in the Flats after Sunday’s Browns game, were cited again and again as turning points.

“I used to think my chances of getting shot somewhere were very low if not impossible. I don’t feel this way anymore. This is a horrible sad reality,” one reader wrote. Another echoed, “Ever since the shootings in Las Vegas I avoid large crowds.”

Parents especially described a new vigilance. “We don’t own one and can’t imagine doing so. And yes, I go out under the assumption many are not only armed but mentally unwell.” A grandmother added, “With growing bitterness, I rethink attending some events and frequently conclude it isn’t worth the risk, particularly if my grandchildren are involved.”

Some described routine strategies: arriving early, leaving before dark, always locating the exits, even carrying bear spray or other nonlethal tools. A Lakewood couple said they rarely leave their city and “play the odds” by being home before 10 p.m. “A lot of the bad stuff happens late,” they wrote.

The unease is reshaping cherished traditions. “I took [my kids] to everything—now I wouldn’t dare,” one mother admitted. A volunteer said he avoids “large gatherings of young people who are drinking.” Another recalled missing the Geauga County Fair: “I recently opted out … because of the disturbances at Cuyahoga & Summit County Fairs.”

The through-line is simple: while some still attend certain events, almost all now weigh the risks. As one summed it up, “Anytime we are contemplating going to a large event, the topic of guns and shootings comes up. We have to REALLY want to attend the event, otherwise we pass.”

Anger at Leaders and the Culture

The second theme was fury—directed at lawmakers, lobbyists, and a culture perceived to glorify guns.

“The obsession with guns in this country is an embarrassment to the rest of the world. And cowardly politicians won’t address it for fear of the NRA,” one wrote. Another concluded: “Having more guns than people is the fruit of Republicans and Republican-led legislation for the NRA as repayment for NRA campaign contributions.”

Dozens vented about Ohio’s loosening gun laws. “I have lived in Ohio my whole life and am very, very disappointed with all the overreaching pro-gun legislation that continues to spew forth from our governor and legislature,” said one woman. Another was blunt: “Repealing the requirements for concealed carry were the worst idea ever. I had a conceal permit and the training was really important. Now every idiot can carry even with no training.”

Some pointed to specific policies: secure storage laws, mandatory training, and universal background checks. Links to gun safety groups circulated among readers, showing how citizens seek solutions even if state leaders do not.

But others said the problem goes deeper. “It’s a sickness. And I believe Fox News is somewhat to blame. They are always talking about how dangerous cities are, to boost Trump’s idiotic rhetoric,” one man wrote. Another reflected on thousands of years of violence, suggesting that “fear of being attacked is so embedded into our subconscious that we seem oblivious to its influence.”

The sharpest critiques blamed a breakdown in morality and accountability. “We have lost the idea of what a civilized society looks like,” one said.

A Country in Decline

Beyond individual fears and political anger, many responses conveyed a deeper despair—that America itself is unraveling.

“I will not go to crowded events because of fear of random violence,” wrote one, adding the only exception would be “for a political protest because the need to stand up against white supremacy and authoritarian rule makes it imperative.”

Others saw parallels to history. “As Chekhov said, when a gun is mentioned in the first act, it will be used by the third act. We are now in the third act of lack of gun control.” Another described walking through Tiananmen Square, noting soldiers patrolled together in different uniforms. “When the focus of getting rid of the immigrants changes to get rid of the guns we lose democracy,” he warned.

A number of readers confessed they consider leaving America altogether. “Were I a bit younger I would leave this country in a heartbeat,” one said. Another, writing from Europe, admitted: “Want to stay. Have family in US I’ll return after our vacation but with less sense of freedom than I have here.”

Underlying it all was grief. “I made it through COVID by never getting infected. Now I want to make it to the end of my life God has planned for me by not getting shot by going to church or the grocery store,” one woman said.

The refrain was unmistakable: events once celebrated as markers of community—fairs, fireworks, sports—now carry the shadow of gunfire. As one reader put it, “We thought the pandemic was isolating but at least the reason we stayed away from crowds then was no one’s fault. Ohio’s deliberate easing of access to firearms … has brought our attendance of events where tempers routinely flare to an abrupt and complete halt.”

Seven Interesting Responses

As a Jew, since the terrorist attach at Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh, and increase in antisemitism in general, my family has changed our behavior at public events. For outdoor events we attend only in the daytime before 6pm in summer when there is no or limited alcohol – that includes county fairs and carnivals. In the evening we attend events that have security. We have been through run, hide, fight training. Before we go anywhere we identify escape routes including at retail stores, outdoor & indoor events. We know there are still risks, but otherwise would not go anywhere.

With growing bitterness, I rethink attending some events and frequently conclude it isn’t worth the risk, particularly if my grandchildren are involved. With even more bitterness and seething anger I take note that most of the shootings are done by males and ask why there isn’t some effort to civilize these people. Were I a bit younger I would leave this country in a heartbeat.

I have lived in Ohio my whole life and am very, very disappointed with all the overreaching pro-gun legislation that continues to spew forth from our governor and legislature. They continue to make it easier and easier for anyone to own and carry a gun making it less safe for everyone else on the street. Especially in a time where mass shootings and shootings in Cleveland and Akron are so prevalent you would think some common sense laws would be passed.

I have been of mind to keep doing what we want to do…but now even when in the metroparks with grandkids I carry a concealed but accessible can of bear spray and a telescoping club. It feels contrary to reasons I love being outdoors. Will never carry a gun. I hope. But the violence threat does change where we want to be.

As Chekhov said, When a gun is mentioned in the first act, it will be used by the third act. We are now in the third act of lack of gun control . More than ‘the luck of the draw’ it is now the ‘speed of the draw.’ The NRA has won: their money has talked the loudest to politicians. The public be damned!

If a high profile Republican politician looses a family member in a mass shooting there may be some action but even that is doubtful.

We thought the pandemic was isolating but at least the reason we stayed away from crowds then was no one’s fault. Ohio’s deliberate easing of both access to firearms and the laws governing where they can be taken has brought our attendance of events where tempers routinely flare to an abrupt and complete halt.

Artificial intelligence help produce this story.