Unfortunately, a letter writer (“Approach gun violence as multi-faceted problem,” March 20) exposes what he and many others seem to lack, an understanding of what weapon activists are trying to accomplish.
The writer can argue that movies, video games and some music have too much violence and that can have an impact, and that more should be done to help folks with mental issues. I won’t argue with him because I don’t have any facts to support or deny.
But to say folks are blaming the National Rifle Association for the mass shootings is wrong. Activists blame the NRA and its leverage for not supporting universal background checks that should include the records of those with mental issues, domestic violence, “no-fly” persons, and felony records. Simply put, they are blamed for not helping to keep weapons out of the hands of those who shouldn’t have them.
It’s important to get the story right rather than trying to muddy the water. No one is trying to take guns away from sane, law-abiding citizens nor infringe on the Second Amendment, as many try to argue.
Controlling the use of driving privileges is not intended to take cars away from individuals, but rather trying to promote safety. Universal background checks are trying to achieve the same result.
Eric Stahlberg
Florence