It's not just about Second Amendment

Our focus as Americans too often has been misdirected when we have mass shootings ["Trying to solve endless slaughter," Letters, May 29]. It’s not a Second Amendment question.

After the Sandy Hook tragedy in 2012, there was movement to prevent mass shootings by banning assault rifles and high-capacity magazines; Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) introduced the Assault Weapons Ban of 2013. Despite the emotional and powerful rhetoric, this bill failed miserably in the Senate, 60 against and 40 in favor.

The ban would have prevented the 18-year-old in Texas from buying the same type of weapons and high-capacity magazines used in Sandy Hook. They facilitate mass casualties not replicated by a handgun, hunting rifle or shotgun.

This is a crisis of common sense inconceivable to any parent, even to an American who legally carries a pistol, as I do.

Start the accountability with those 60 senators who voted "nay" nine years ago. Why do our elected officials fail so miserably to step up and make real change to save lives -- children's lives. Stop hiding behind the Second Amendment that James Madison wrote to provide more power to state militias; today they are called the National Guard.

Roberto Friedlander, West Islip

When former President Donald Trump addressed the National Rifle Association convention in Houston, he pitched the same inane excuse foisted on Americans for years by gun lobbyists and politicians: “The existence of evil in our world is not a reason to disarm law-abiding citizens” ["NRA meets in Houston amid protests," News, May 28].

First, common-sense gun reform does not propose disarming those who have legal rights to owning certain types of guns. Responsible gun-owning citizens know the difference between shooting deer in the woods and 10-year-olds in a classroom and don’t require AR-15 military assault rifles to exercise that right.

Second, law-abiding citizens have no reason to fear background checks.

Third, the argument often made is that the gun held by a shooter is not to blame: "Guns don’t kill; people do.” In that case, alcohol is not to blame for DWI deaths. Tell that to Mothers Against Drunk Driving. Yet sobriety tests are routinely administered at accident sites and often are used to establish guilt and conviction.

It is time for Americans to use their common sense to vote these narrow-minded politicians out of office.

And it is time to establish consistent gun safety in all states, beginning with the legal age to purchase.

Sue Parker, Stony Brook

The deranged mental state of the two Buffalo and Texas teen killers are unfortunately only extreme examples of many of today’s troubled, aimless, and floundering youth. Inner hate causes many of them to latch onto just about any irrational or delusional cause, realistic or not. The latest horrific killings urgently dictate that all underlying and complex causes be addressed by the most prudent minds in our midst.

Overlooked, however, is the crucial role of schools. The mission statement “Success for Every Student” in the Levittown school district, where I taught for 45 years, is based on the foundation that success breeds more success, making students feel good about themselves. Schools have the crucial role of developing productive student goals and dreams via ongoing career orientation programs, primarily focused on exciting career opportunities. Troubled young lives could be turned around to the benefit of all.

Fred Barnett, Lake Grove

An article quotes leaders from the Episcopal Diocese of Long Island, the Islamic Center of Long Island in Westbury, a Pentecostal church, a synagogue, and a congregational church ["Take direct action to end gun violence, say some LI religious leaders," News, May 29]. All are explicit in calling for action. Rabbi Beth Klafter said, "... take action in terms of recommitting ourselves to the political issues involving gun control that are not being resolved."

Yet the leader of the diocesan Catholic Church and the president of the Catholic League are silent on the guns, offering the usual prayers and distractions. Are the Catholic leaders simply avoiding "politics"? If so, that is odd, given the political messaging regarding abortion. Are the lives of the born children any less precious than the lives of the unborn? As a Catholic, I find this disturbing and painful.

Eileen Toomey, Huntington Station

I applaud Bishop Lawrence Provenzano of the Episcopal Diocese of Long Island for his forthright response to the latest incident of senseless gun slaughter of 19 innocent children.

Provenzano correctly asserts that the Second Amendment was never intended to enable individuals to own and indiscriminately employ assault weapons of the type so readily available today. It was the slow-to-reload musket with which 18th century citizens were to be armed to help assure the security of a free state from possible enemy attack.

The children in Robb Elementary School were not the enemy, but they were treated as such, killed as they sat in their seats or tried to hide. It is the adults who now must finally act, not merely piously beseech our thoughts and prayers while cowering before the ruthless  NRA.

Provenzano calls for the repeal and revision of the Second Amendment. This would be a monumental step, but it is not likely to happen. There are, however, measures that can be taken that will help prevent the further loss of life. These must be pursued tenaciously, with politicians holding office held personally accountable if they do not act responsibly. Provenzano has pointed us in the right direction.

Robert W. Mackreth, Massapequa

I am so sick of this. This isn’t just on the shooters. This is on their parents. Once their child is diagnosed with schizophrenia or another mental illness at around age 10, it seems that a light bulb goes off in some parents’ heads.

“Hey, I know what will calm him! I’ll get him video games that have military and police actions.” These games are recommended for mature audiences, not for children or someone with a mental illness.

However, it seems that some of these parents think that their child is “mature” for his age and should have the video games. Then, when the child is a few years older, a parent buys him a real gun. And some eventually go on a shooting rampage. It’s not just what is wrong with the child but what is wrong with his parents. Don’t expose a child to these horrible videos, and these mass shootings are less likely to happen. Enough is enough!

Fran Gusoff, Bellmore