I am writing concerning the recent murder of two children and the wounding of many others at a Catholic Church in Minneapolis. Of course, this is a mental health issue. Who in their right mind would kill innocent children, not to mention adults? But let’s be clear, a greater mental health issue is that there are 535 members of Congress, 100 in the Senate and 435 in the House of Representatives, who are in positions of responsibility and could do something, but choose to do nothing. This is not a partisan issue, but I lay the blame primarily on the Republican Party and its close ties to the National Rifle Association and the rest of the gun lobby.

If we could have foreseen 40 or 50 years ago where we are with gun violence in America today, we would have been aghast, appalled and sickened. And yet this is what we have become. A gun-obsessed country in which grade school children are subjected to active shooter drills and in which we have become numb to almost weekly news reports of multiple deaths of children and adults.

I know the problem is huge and has developed over many years, but there are some solutions and some starting steps that could/should be taken. First, and most fundamentally, I suggest a thorough review of the Second Amendment in terms of when it was written and viewed in the context of today’s society. What was its original purpose and application, and how does it fit with the circumstances we have today?

Second, what is the value of high-capacity magazines in a civilized society? If banned, who would be harmed and how? If such a ban could prevent the loss of one life wouldn’t it be worth it? It’s sad and ridiculous to have to say, but better one child killed than two; or better 5 killed than 10.

And third, why not a ban on assault rifles? What is the socially redeemable value of an assault rifle? Do they really have a place in our society beyond the military? There was, in fact, a 10-year ban from 1994 until a sunset provision in 2004. Who was harmed by this ban and how? Was the harm to these individuals or corporations greater than the harm caused by the loss of lives?

I have owned firearms and done a little hunting; I am not against responsible gun ownership, provided sufficient regulation of purchase and use. There is a reason there are so many firearm murders in this country, including children in schools and churches and other places. Everyone should feel safe. It’s time to move beyond “thoughts and prayers.” It’s past time for Congress to take courageous, meaningful action to end this travesty.

— Jon R. Nickles, Anchorage

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