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Letters to the Editor

Stronger gun laws not answer to violence issue

A demonstrator helps hold a large “Come and Take It” banner at a rally in support of open carry gun laws at the Capitol, in Austin, on Jan. 26, 2015. Despite its reputation as the trigger-happy heart of American gun culture, Texas is late to the open carry party, at least when it comes to handguns. On New Year’s Day, it’ll become the 45th state to legalize carrying a pistol in plain sight.
A demonstrator helps hold a large “Come and Take It” banner at a rally in support of open carry gun laws at the Capitol, in Austin, on Jan. 26, 2015. Despite its reputation as the trigger-happy heart of American gun culture, Texas is late to the open carry party, at least when it comes to handguns. On New Year’s Day, it’ll become the 45th state to legalize carrying a pistol in plain sight. Eric Gay AP

Mr. John D'Alusio is absolutely correct (Letters, "Gun control laws not answer to prevention of shootings," Dec. 26). Tighter gun laws will not suppress mass and random shootings. It is the final step and the only one and I can do something about directly. Why do we even need tough gun laws?

Local law enforcement people tell us many of the inmates in jail are there as a result of untreated mental problems. The legislature might do well to loosen the purse strings for mental health/drug addiction programs. That is a beginning.

Manatee County has suffered recent drive-by shootings gone awry where innocent people were caught in crossfire. Gang warfare and territorial infringement causes a double whammy. Why gangs anyway? Perhaps unemployment, lack of parental/teacher/church guidance or simply a desire to belong to a group of like-minded contemporaries.

Team sports, after-school programs, Y membership, church youth groups, even volunteer work if a paying job is not available. Sing in a choir, tutor a child.

Then there are gun owners who are careless with a weapon and accidents happen. Guns are not toys. There are, sadly, people who no longer can face life. We cannot interfere with others' private lives, but we can try to keep these people from getting a deadly weapon easily. Thus, strong, enforced gun laws.

Carolyn Schneider

Bradenton

This story was originally published January 2, 2016 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Stronger gun laws not answer to violence issue ."

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