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Young People in the Forefront of Gun Control Young People at the Forefront of Gun Control
(35 minutes later)
To the Editor:To the Editor:
I am a resident of Parkland, Fla., where 17 people were tragically killed last week. Over the weekend, President Trump came to Florida. He visited a hospital in a community that is 10 minutes from us.I am a resident of Parkland, Fla., where 17 people were tragically killed last week. Over the weekend, President Trump came to Florida. He visited a hospital in a community that is 10 minutes from us.
I hope that Mr. Trump enjoyed his golf game this weekend. I spent the weekend weeping. I also spent it infuriated that our president didn’t have the guts or the empathy to visit our town. But he would have had to pay a price for the visit: hearing our anger at the loss of our beautiful children.I hope that Mr. Trump enjoyed his golf game this weekend. I spent the weekend weeping. I also spent it infuriated that our president didn’t have the guts or the empathy to visit our town. But he would have had to pay a price for the visit: hearing our anger at the loss of our beautiful children.
Our community is broken. Our community is angry that people can legally buy assault rifles. How many more children have to die?Our community is broken. Our community is angry that people can legally buy assault rifles. How many more children have to die?
AUDREY GAJUS, PARKLAND, FLA.AUDREY GAJUS, PARKLAND, FLA.
To the Editor:To the Editor:
Re “Don’t Let 17 Deaths Be in Vain,” by Christine Yared, a freshman at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School (Op-Ed, Feb. 19):Re “Don’t Let 17 Deaths Be in Vain,” by Christine Yared, a freshman at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School (Op-Ed, Feb. 19):
How sad it is that a 15-year-old girl, Ms. Yared, should be more mature, eloquent and sensible than the majority of our members of Congress.How sad it is that a 15-year-old girl, Ms. Yared, should be more mature, eloquent and sensible than the majority of our members of Congress.
I am an old white guy who has always been in favor of stricter gun laws. But I didn’t do much beyond voting for candidates who support such legislation. I obviously didn’t do enough.I am an old white guy who has always been in favor of stricter gun laws. But I didn’t do much beyond voting for candidates who support such legislation. I obviously didn’t do enough.
Let’s hope that Ms. Yared’s heart-rending essay will resonate not only with her friends who are eligible to vote but also with 18- and 19-year-olds everywhere in our country.Let’s hope that Ms. Yared’s heart-rending essay will resonate not only with her friends who are eligible to vote but also with 18- and 19-year-olds everywhere in our country.
DAVID ZINKIN, PRINCETON, N.J.DAVID ZINKIN, PRINCETON, N.J.
To the Editor:To the Editor:
To the grieving students of Parkland, Fla., and all those who have come before you: My generation has failed you. But you will not fail. You are present and future voters, future elected officeholders, and you will make a difference.To the grieving students of Parkland, Fla., and all those who have come before you: My generation has failed you. But you will not fail. You are present and future voters, future elected officeholders, and you will make a difference.
Respond to every politician and media commentator with whom you disagree, vote out of office every representative and senator who has failed you, and allow us — your parents and grandparents — to embrace you, to love you and to stand with you.Respond to every politician and media commentator with whom you disagree, vote out of office every representative and senator who has failed you, and allow us — your parents and grandparents — to embrace you, to love you and to stand with you.
Demand the safety and protection you deserve. Settle for nothing less.Demand the safety and protection you deserve. Settle for nothing less.
ALLEGRA SENSENIGCOTO DE CAZA, CALIF.ALLEGRA SENSENIGCOTO DE CAZA, CALIF.
To the Editor:To the Editor:
A new slogan, “Marching Is Fine, Voting Is Better,” needs to be circulated among the high school students who are expressing frustration in response to the massacre in Parkland, Fla.A new slogan, “Marching Is Fine, Voting Is Better,” needs to be circulated among the high school students who are expressing frustration in response to the massacre in Parkland, Fla.
Most of these young people will be eligible to vote in the next local and national elections. We need to convince them that the best action possible is to confront candidates who favor retaining access to assault weapons and campaign to remove them or prevent them from elected office.Most of these young people will be eligible to vote in the next local and national elections. We need to convince them that the best action possible is to confront candidates who favor retaining access to assault weapons and campaign to remove them or prevent them from elected office.
We need our young people now more than ever.We need our young people now more than ever.
STEPHANIE MILLER, BALTIMORESTEPHANIE MILLER, BALTIMORE
To the Editor:To the Editor:
I still have my draft card, which I showed my sons when we talked about how the threat of dying in an ill-advised war (like Vietnam) was a critical motivator to bring about change when I was a young man.I still have my draft card, which I showed my sons when we talked about how the threat of dying in an ill-advised war (like Vietnam) was a critical motivator to bring about change when I was a young man.
The threat of dying in a school shooting is now motivating today’s high school students (tomorrow’s voters), who realize that they are being asked to sacrifice their lives so that gun manufacturers can maintain their profits.The threat of dying in a school shooting is now motivating today’s high school students (tomorrow’s voters), who realize that they are being asked to sacrifice their lives so that gun manufacturers can maintain their profits.
To see them finding their voice is to witness the wonder that is America.To see them finding their voice is to witness the wonder that is America.
ANDREW GUNTHEROAKLAND, CALIF.ANDREW GUNTHEROAKLAND, CALIF.
To the Editor:To the Editor:
Re “Congress Fails to Curb Guns. Could Banks?,” by Andrew Ross Sorkin (DealBook column, Feb. 20):Re “Congress Fails to Curb Guns. Could Banks?,” by Andrew Ross Sorkin (DealBook column, Feb. 20):
I suspect that the profit motive would get in the way of such a plan, but what about a national teachers’ strike, both at the elementary and secondary level?I suspect that the profit motive would get in the way of such a plan, but what about a national teachers’ strike, both at the elementary and secondary level?
Teachers are already overworked, underpaid, over-regulated and now seriously in harm’s way. What have they got to lose?Teachers are already overworked, underpaid, over-regulated and now seriously in harm’s way. What have they got to lose?
With the children out of school, their parents might just be motivated to write their congressional representatives. We need the teachers as well as the students in this fight.With the children out of school, their parents might just be motivated to write their congressional representatives. We need the teachers as well as the students in this fight.
JEROME LOVING, BRYAN, TEX.JEROME LOVING, BRYAN, TEX.