Baby steps won't fix gun problem

I am very disappointed with the bipartisan agreement that 20 senators negotiated for gun control [“Small gun step beats no step,” Editorial, June 14]. Yes, it is an improvement on existing laws, but is no more than a Band-Aid. It marginally addresses mass shootings with automatic rifles.

A great majority of Americans want automatic rifles banned. They want universal background checks, not just for 18- to 20-year-olds. Why are those issues not addressed? Because Republican senators will not agree to them. The Democratic senators are stymied by their counterparts.

Both sides wanted to show progress with gun control, especially after the mass shootings in Buffalo and Uvalde, Texas. But the present measures are baby steps that will not resolve the issue. We don’t have time for such little progress.
 — Ben Horlick, Dix Hills

It seems most people are focused on gun control rather than on the shooters [“Gun deal merely a GOP charade,” Letters, June 14]. It is common knowledge that most mass shooters come from broken homes. A lot of kids are left with no accountability or concerned adults checking on them.

I agree that gun control should be addressed, but society should take an honest look in the mirror and try to find answers to hopefully prevent this from repeatedly happening. It seems that we’re just spinning our wheels, spewing the same talking points, while these atrocities keep happening.

 — Charles J. Brown, Levittown

Why do we always blame the object and not the behavior? Forty years ago, there were plenty of guns in this country but nary a mass shooting. Anyone know what’s changed? Here are a few things: the internet and social media, electronic devices, erosion of the family unit, isolation, increased use and access to drugs, and tolerance of immoral “artistic content” in entertainment.

Rolling up our sleeves and getting to the root of the behavior is far more important than imposing another law that mentally ill people will find a way to work around.

Furthermore, it does not help when we scream “defund the police” or implement bail reform, which allows criminals back on the street after arrest.

Let’s treat the disease, not just the symptoms.

 — Adam Feinberg, Oceanside

Nineteen young students and two of their teachers have borne the brunt of years of congressional inaction. A kid not old to buy a beer bought two assault weapons and a massive amount of ammunition. It’s time to stop thinking and praying.

It’s time for our leaders in Congress to get serious about protecting not just the Second Amendment rights of gun owners but the fundamental rights of everyone to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. No one should fear being gunned down in a workplace, house of worship, grocery store, school or anywhere. There are solutions. We need the backbone to implement them.

 — Maryellen Viola, Massapequa Park

Is it not a cruel coincidence that on the day the U.S. History and Government Regents exam was suspended due to content “that has the potential to compound student trauma caused by the recent violence in Buffalo” [“Exam gets canceled,” News, May 25] another school shooting took place, the 27th this year? Does our avoidance of sensitive content truly protect our children?

We teachers are asked to lead our students through active-shooter drills as if this perceived fail-safe is a legitimate solution. It is no more a solution today than the duck-and-cover drills of my youth.

How long before the truth of the horrific Texas attack is translated into yet another false-flag defense of business as usual? We are all traumatized by decades of unrelenting gun violence in our schools.

Will you, like I, hug your children and pray yet again for their safe return from a school day unmarked by violence? When will we finally say enough is enough and let our actions match our words and prayers? Silence within our curriculum does not protect any of us from further trauma.

 — Cynthia Vitere, Long Beach

The writer has taught high school social studies for 30 years.

It is horrible and shameful that police who were first on the scene in Uvalde, Texas, were there for close to an hour before entering the school. Waiting for backup? That’s not a good excuse. Didn’t they learn anything from the Columbine school shooting where police waited four hours before going in after the shooters?

As a retired NYPD lieutenant, I know that cops, even just one cop, should have immediately gone into the school and tried to take out the shooter. Most cops are courageous, but if one doesn’t have the courage to go in and face an active shooter, especially in a school, he or she shouldn’t be a police officer — anywhere. Risking your life is part of the job of a police officer.

There is no excuse for waiting to enter the school, even if the officer had to give his or her life. It’s inexcusable.

 — Michael J. Gorman, Whitestone

The Republican and National Rifle Association mantra about “good guys with guns” failed catastrophically in Uvalde, Texas. Would the outcome have been any different if the startled teacher facing the man’s AR-15 had a handgun, as Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and Gov. Greg Abbott suggest?

 — Arnold Wishnia, Setauket

Most people will never find a politician they agree with on everything. But if reducing the incidence of gun violence is important, we need to learn the positions of political candidates and vote for those who support these initiatives. It could happen anywhere. The next victim could be someone you love.

 — Carol Raab, Wading River

“Thoughts and prayers, thoughts and prayers.” It’s becoming a daily mantra. Every day is becoming “Groundhog Day.” So many children are becoming fearful to go to school. We are failing our youth. We are the only country that has this horrific problem. Why? And Sen. Ted Cruz’s solution is to install armed guards in schools instead of addressing the underlying cause. In May, it was Buffalo, then Texas, on and on we go. What will it take to end these atrocities?

 — Diana Blasic, Levittown

Enough moments of silence. Enough flying flags at half-mast. Enough politicians making meaningless speeches. Many of us are all parents or grandparents. Where is the moral outrage? The anger? What are you doing to solve this problem that threatens our children and our nation? Demand change!

 — Michael Lissauer, Melville