At this time last year, I wrote an editorial voicing concern about escalating violence in our society. There had just been a multiple death shooting at a religious house of worship. I am still concerned.
Now, here we are, a year later, living in a new reality in which state lawmakers have decided it is a good idea to allow more guns to be carried in public places. Additionally, our new reality allows people to do so without training or a background check or a licensing process of any kind. That defies common sense.
We require a license to drive a car legally. That is not controversial because common sense says to operate something that could kill someone else in society requires some training and restrictions. It seems wise to me to apply the same thinking to firearms as we do for motor vehicles.
Do you remember the Sandy Hook school mass shooting seven years ago? Shock reverberated across our country. But unfortunately now school shootings have become so common that they barely register with the news media. Despite increasing security at schools, gun violence set a new high this year, claiming over 3,000 lives. Thousands of dollars are being spent on safety and security in schools, but also in businesses and any other place where large numbers of people congregate.
I remember the Sandy Hook school shooting and how Read More Here