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| Mental block over gun control makes me ashamed to be American | Mental block over gun control makes me ashamed to be American |
| (17 days later) | |
| Today, not for the first time, I am ashamed to be an American and part of a society which, knowing there are mad people who will kill children and adults simply because they are there, has constantly refused to remove or even limit the means with which these demented individuals can wreak their carnage (Massacre in the classroom: 27 die in US school shooting, 15 December). If, again, US citizens allow mourning to be followed by just the wait for the next mass shooting, we stand condemned as the pathological society we are often painted to be by those who stand outside our borders. James Clevenger Telford, Shropshire | Today, not for the first time, I am ashamed to be an American and part of a society which, knowing there are mad people who will kill children and adults simply because they are there, has constantly refused to remove or even limit the means with which these demented individuals can wreak their carnage (Massacre in the classroom: 27 die in US school shooting, 15 December). If, again, US citizens allow mourning to be followed by just the wait for the next mass shooting, we stand condemned as the pathological society we are often painted to be by those who stand outside our borders. James Clevenger Telford, Shropshire |
| • You can only wonder what type of human being belongs to "Gun Owners of America" and has come to the twisted conclusion that supporters of gun control have the blood of little children on their hands because it is they that have prevented primary schoolteachers being able to carry guns at work. President Obama has a massive task in turning these attitudes around. David Gerrard Hove, East Sussex | • You can only wonder what type of human being belongs to "Gun Owners of America" and has come to the twisted conclusion that supporters of gun control have the blood of little children on their hands because it is they that have prevented primary schoolteachers being able to carry guns at work. President Obama has a massive task in turning these attitudes around. David Gerrard Hove, East Sussex |
| • After the latest obscenity in America couldn't the following be amended to the constitution. When the original was drafted, firearms were muzzle-loaders. It follows that, if civilians could only own such weapons, this would significantly reduce such outrages. This should keep both the gun loonies and constitution buffs happy. | • After the latest obscenity in America couldn't the following be amended to the constitution. When the original was drafted, firearms were muzzle-loaders. It follows that, if civilians could only own such weapons, this would significantly reduce such outrages. This should keep both the gun loonies and constitution buffs happy. |
| I also seem to recall something about a citizens' militia? Why couldn't such people be required to report once a week for training (head-shaving, etc), and if they are so keen, they could also be posted to Afghanistan. I speak with some experience having lived in America for some time – indeed, 20 years ago, I was delivered an eviction order by two men carrying guns. Clive Wilkinson Leamington Spa, Warwickshire | I also seem to recall something about a citizens' militia? Why couldn't such people be required to report once a week for training (head-shaving, etc), and if they are so keen, they could also be posted to Afghanistan. I speak with some experience having lived in America for some time – indeed, 20 years ago, I was delivered an eviction order by two men carrying guns. Clive Wilkinson Leamington Spa, Warwickshire |
| • Your editorial (The shots heard round the world, 17 December) talks rightly of the need to strengthen gun control and of how powerful the gun lobby is in the US. But you end with the comment: "Mad men with guns will always be a danger." This is a lazy stereotype and, indeed, early reports about the killer suggest he may have had a learning disability. It is guns that are the problem and perhaps mental health provision does need to improve, but it is simply not the case that having a mental illness will lead to such a tragedy. Ruth F Hunt Burscough, Lancashire | • Your editorial (The shots heard round the world, 17 December) talks rightly of the need to strengthen gun control and of how powerful the gun lobby is in the US. But you end with the comment: "Mad men with guns will always be a danger." This is a lazy stereotype and, indeed, early reports about the killer suggest he may have had a learning disability. It is guns that are the problem and perhaps mental health provision does need to improve, but it is simply not the case that having a mental illness will lead to such a tragedy. Ruth F Hunt Burscough, Lancashire |
| • My daughter teaches in Blacksburg, Virginia, the site of the massacre at Virginia Tech in 2007. She asked her class of 9- and 10-year-olds recently who had at least one gun in their home. All but three raised their hands and all three of those exceptions were not born in the US. EL Trussell Sudbury, Suffolk | • My daughter teaches in Blacksburg, Virginia, the site of the massacre at Virginia Tech in 2007. She asked her class of 9- and 10-year-olds recently who had at least one gun in their home. All but three raised their hands and all three of those exceptions were not born in the US. EL Trussell Sudbury, Suffolk |
| • How good of David Cameron to express his sympathy for the victims of the Newtown massacre. I wonder how many Pakistani and Afghan children will have to be murdered by British and US remote-controlled drone operators before he'll feel it's worth expressing sympathy for them as well? Tony Green Ipswich, Suffolk | • How good of David Cameron to express his sympathy for the victims of the Newtown massacre. I wonder how many Pakistani and Afghan children will have to be murdered by British and US remote-controlled drone operators before he'll feel it's worth expressing sympathy for them as well? Tony Green Ipswich, Suffolk |
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