Should be more restrictions in place
Gun control in America is an issue that is under continuous and heated debate. I believe guns have a purpose and a design.
When used correctly and for their designed purpose, guns are not a bad thing. However, lately it seems we have seen cases of people who have abused the purpose of guns. Although I am not by any means against guns, I believe that there should be gun control. There should be background checks for all purchases of weapons, including those sold at gun shows and privately. There should be requirements for the storage of weapons in a household, and there should be — on high-caliber weapons — a reduction of magazine size.
Although I support fully the ownership of guns, I do believe there should be more restrictions and regulations in place to reduce impulse actions and prevent mass casualties. AARON JERNIGAN, SPRINGFIELD
Trained officer could provide security, more
Some have suggested after the Newtown tragedy that we arm teachers. Others insist that there should be a police officer in every school. After 30 years in the classroom, I can think of very few teachers I would trust with a gun in school. Also, the cost of a police officer in every school would be prohibitively expensive for most districts.
However, a certified police officer who has taken additional courses in education might be cost-effective. Such a person could not only provide security for the school, but with the support of hospitals and social agencies, teach courses that would help students avoid self-destructive behavior such as drugs, smoking, violence, obesity and unwanted pregnancies. CHARLES L. SCOTT, DAYTON
Speak Up
I have never been involved in activism until now. I am ashamed and embarrassed at the level of gun violence in our country and the level of unwillingness to change it by our elected officials and many of our citizens. All I want for Mother's Day is the gift of nonviolence. Americans, please join me in demanding action against this epidemic.
It's the sick of mind with evil intent who need control, not legal guns. The HIPAA law and the incessant Democratic need to blame guns, and not people, are to blame here.
I was sickened and outraged by the article about the 5-year-old boy shooting his 2-year-old sister with the gun made for kids. I can only wonder who was the "thoughtful" person who bought this gift for a young child. If you want to teach your child to hunt in order to eat, I would think you could wait seven or so more years. This is just another example of greedy corporations trying to create a market where there isn't one.
I find it hypocritical that liberals are all for background checks for gun purchases, yet totally opposed to anyone producing a simple identification card to vote.
Running the story about the University of Dayton's "party school" stats was poor timing. Why run the story on the same day as UD's graduation?
The FBI was so successful in infiltrating secret communist cells in the 1950s that one humorous journalist suggested that there should be a rule saying there should be more communists in a cell than FBI infiltrators. Hopefully, today's FBI will be just as successful in infiltrating secret terrorist cells.
Government priorities are warped. The U.S. gives millions to countries that hate us and waste the money, yet our government canceled performances for air shows, which entertain thousands of Americans. The air shows are entertaining and it's a drop in the bucket compared to our giveaways. Shame on our Uncle Sam.
President Obama claims that his administration is the most transparent ever, yet there are cover-ups all the way from Libya to Boston. But the media won't inform the people about them.
I don't see the logic as to how Republicans think their sequester budget cuts will create jobs and stimulate the economy. It's barely started and is proving to have the opposite effect. It's a self-inflicted wound.
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