ABOVE: From Flickr, by H. Michael Karshis (license)
Editor’s note: The opinions in this letter are the authors’ only.
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OPINION: Another Troubled Soul with an Assault Rifle — Seventeen Dead
A letter to the editor by Joan C. Divor, Founding member Tri-County Chapter, American Promise, Voorhees, NJ
I feel haunted. At services last Saturday at Temple Beth Sholom in Cherry Hill, NJ the names of the dead from Florida’s Stoneman Douglas High School were read. I heard them, but in a horrible echo I heard my own daughter’s name, and those of her friends. Not long ago, they joyfully played with the Marching Vikings Band at Eastern Regional High School in Voorhees, NJ.
Devastated, I try to grasp a thread of hope that things will change. But my 23-year old daughter has given up hope. She is completely cynical about the possibility of relief. Is this our legacy to our children?
The suspect was a troubled soul. Now his hope of life is lost. He is as much a victim of the ease of obtaining assault weapons in our country as are those he killed, and as much a victim of the need to improve mental health care, background checks and threat reporting. Pew reported in 2017 that 68% of Americans favor banning assault-style weapons.
Our legislators and candidates must stand up to the gun lobby, which contributes millions to influence firearms legislation in defiance of the people’s will. Only those who do will get my support. And, for the sake of my daughter and her friends, I will hang on and continue to hope and work for change.
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From Flickr, by Michael Saechang (license)
OPINION: Stronger gun legislation now!
A letter to the editor by Kristine Piccola of Moorestown, NJ
How many more deaths must occur before gun loving citizens and government officials accept that some people should not be granted a license to own a gun?
I implore every legislator and representative to sponsor, support, and vote in favor of any commonsense legislation that has any chance to reduce the number of guns getting into the hands of people who may do harm. If that sounds a bit lame and desperate, well, it is. There is no more time to expect to find a perfect solution that will solve this problem. One step must must be taken. make it harder to buy a gun. Yes. Make it harder for any person to buy a gun.
It does not matter if a new law delays a law-abiding citizens attempt to buy a gun. That law-abiding citizen will be able to buy their gun! After they have been identified as a law abiding citizen who is not harboring ill intent.
Delays and restrictions on gun purchases do not take away a citizen’s right to bear arms.
Delays and restrictions on gun purchases will save lives.
Please, sponsor, support, and vote for common sense gun legislation. This is an important step towards reducing the occurrence of gun violence.
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From Flickr, by Democracy Chronicles (license)
OPINION: Nowhere is safe
A letter to the editor by Peg Houle of Stafford Township, NJ
Dear Editor:
Watching a movie, listening to country music, sitting in a classroom, conducting a meeting…what do these activities have in common? They ended with innocent lives being taken by a weapon that has no business being in the hands of the general public. It’s time for Washington to do something about the accessibility of assault rifles.
Can our Republican Senators and Representatives ignore the shattered voices of those children from the Parkland school shooting, pleading for the adults to “do something?” What will it take for them to turn their backs on the millions of dollars that the NRA is throwing at them? How many lives? How many families left grieving for a lifetime? How many traumatized children witnessing the death of their friends, teachers and coaches?
I say enough is enough! Make your voices heard in November with your vote. Vote BLUE!
Editor’s note: The opinions in this letter are the authors’ only.
Citizens’ Media TV encourages all viewpoints. Please submit your letters to the editor
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