To the editor:

Once again, a person’s irresponsibility with firearms has resulted in a tragedy. Unfortunately, many people hoping to avoid this kind of tragedy have placed their hopes in things like trigger locks or banning handguns as solutions.

The latest shooting, involving a first-grader, shows how this is not the solution.

Can you honestly believe that someone who would leave a pistol lying loaded, on a bed, easily accessible to a child, would be responsible enough to keep trigger locks on the weapon when not in use? How about banning handguns? I know it may stun some of you to hear this, but crack cocaine was also found in the house.

Cocaine has been illegal in this nation for over 90 years. This illegal drug can be easily acquired anywhere in the country. Do you think guns, which already have a 300 year history in this country, would be different?

Australia banned all firearms in 1996, and violent crime has increased in most areas.The problem isn’t the firearms, it’s irresponsibility.

Responsible people can own firearms and present no threat to society, so the government has no reason to seize weapons.

Further, citizens are given the right to own these weapons to defend themselves; not only from criminals, but from civil unrest and tyrannical government. If you don’t think industrialized nations today can undergo these situations, look at Eastern Europe last decade.

If the rights of the people are going to be limited in any way, the benefits must be incredibly great. The evidence shows the benefits at best will be minimal, and the costs could be overwhelming.

James Grimaldi

Senior

Psychology