To the editor:

In reply to Eric Hauber’s “Handguns made killing possible,” and Tim Paluch’s “Cerra cartoon sick, right on the money,” both writers are quick to transfer responsibility for the shooting death of a 6-year-old to the freedom of private gun ownership.

Both writers miss the point. It is easy to miss the point in a country where the popular press suppresses the truth that gun violence is decreasing and that private gun ownership deters crime.

Responsibility follows freedom, and accountability follows responsibility. This is the covenant of a free society.

Gun manufacturers, legal gun owners, the people and our government share in this covenant. Yet government refuses to prosecute current law, the politicians and pundits cry for more restrictions on freedoms of an often apathetic people, manufacturers are slow to develop safer guns, and some legal gun owners fail to protect their guns from theft.

Responsibility rests with the parents of the 6-year-old shooter and other adults in his home. Accountability should too.

The freedom to own and use guns is exercised responsibly by millions. To argue that freedom should be taken from everyone because of this tragedy, also argues that parenting “rights” should be taken from everyone because of this tragedy.

Handguns do not incite violence any more than “open and free discourse on matters of interest to the people” incites riot. Do we abolish free speech?

Freedom is worth life. All our freedoms were earned at that price. Today, freedom around the world is being bought at that price. I’m sorry this is not part of your reality.

Lee Van Brocklin

Alumna

Ames