GUNS: What nation should do

Admittedly I come from another era but our 2nd Amendment rights transcend both my era and the problems existing today.

I believe Congress should recognize that mass shootings are done by individuals with a history of mental problems. Mental illness cannot be addressed by restricting gun rights of competent citizens. There is no correlation.

Likewise restricting gun rights is not a treatment for mental illness. This also seems obvious.

What can and should be done? Identify, treat and in the worst case scenario, incarcerate those individuals who do not respond to treatment and are a danger to themselves or others. This is a state and local government responsibility. The federal government, at best, will only muddy the waters.

Will every potential shooter be identified? Probably not. We as citizens in a free society must accept this and recognize that some horrible event like Sandy Hook will happen again.

Where federal, state and local law enforcement must come together is dealing with gang crime in our major cities. Laws already ban individuals with a criminal record from having weapons of any type. This should be enforced to the full extent of the law. Judges should be given latitude to proscribe meaningful sentences and the public should be made aware when the judiciary fails to do its part.

I grew up handling guns at an early age--- target shooting and hunting with a .22 from about age 10. My college dorm in the late 50’s was a veritable armory. Students hunted on weekends with both rifles and shotguns. I do not know of anyone who was shot accidently or otherwise.

We are being scared away from firearms at the very time the younger generation of our society should be trained to use guns safely.

Let’s find those with mental health issues and treat their problem. Let’s penalize gang members and felons who illegally possess and use guns. That will make a difference!

FRED EBEL

Post Falls