After Orlando, we need healing and respect

The members of the Suffolk County Human Rights Commission and staff express our devastation at the horrific hate crime that took the lives of so many innocent victims in Orlando [“FBI probes dad’s finances,” News, June 16]. We extend our deepest condolences to those whose loved ones were senselessly killed or injured from this act of hate.

We admire the display of love and compassion in the wake of such a tragedy, and stand firm with the LGBT and Latino communities. We denounce anti-Muslim, retaliatory conduct, as hatred only begets hatred.

We affirm the power of love and our continuing commitment to work for unity and equality, while fighting to end acts of violence and hatred.

The commission is committed to upholding and protecting the rights of all people. Please join us in our continued efforts to make our community and our nation a better and safer place for all.

Rabbi Steven Moss, Dawn Lott Hauppauge

Editor’s note: The writers are, respectively, the chairman and executive director of the Suffolk County Human Rights Commission.

Today, I’m aware of the horrific pain my country is in regarding the events in Orlando.

One of my responsibilities as chairman of the City of Glen Cove’s Democratic Committee will be to recommend quality and qualified candidates for next year’s elections. People often give me feedback about which “kind” of person I should look for — a female candidate, a candidate of color, a candidate of a specific religion, a member of the LGBT community or even “that guy in the wheelchair” (that’s me).

I’m dismayed that we continue to define ourselves with these labels. Is it focusing on our differences that leads to apathy? People often won’t attend local government meetings. These give people an opportunity to learn how local government works and about the pertinent issues that their elected officials are required to make decisions on. I’m amazed at the number of people I encountered at a recent voter registration event who were not registered to vote.

Let’s dedicate ourselves to being involved and improving where we live and what we can do to heal our communities from their divisions.

Michael Zangari, Glen Cove

Have we not had enough? Will common sense, contrary to Voltaire’s idiom, really become common? Or, of greater import, prevail [“After massacre, discussion of guns,” Letters, June 16]?

Cannot the overwhelming weight of evidence move even the most recalcitrant to promote the general welfare? No, guns do not kill people, people kill people. But the availability of guns — especially assault weapons totally unnecessary to all but the military — aids and abets the heinous acts of mass slaughter so recently witnessed.

Members of Congress have taken an oath to uphold the Constitution, misinterpretation of the Second Amendment notwithstanding. Take the first step and ban these instruments of mass destruction. It’s time to do so.

Richard M. Frauenglass, Huntington

There are commonsense limitations that are legislated that complement our freedoms. You can buy a Porsche that goes 180 mph, but the highest highway speed limit is 60 to 70 mph, depending on where you are.

People want the AR-15 military weapon available as their Second Amendment right. Others feel a military-style weapon is not needed as a consumer item.

How about this compromise? Ban high-capacity firearm magazines; 100-bullet magazines are good for but one end, and that’s mass murder.

Steven Taub, Melville