GUNS: Not the problem

With all the tragic events that seem to be occurring much more frequently, many point the finger at guns as being the problem. I would agree guns are the vehicle used in many of these tragic events but they have also used bombs and vehicles to do their damage. There also seems to be an increase in violence towards police and an escalation in the number of suicides. I believe the real culprit for these increases is society and its values, not guns.

Why do we point the finger at other than guns? Mental health has to be high on the list as who could do such heinous crimes being of sound mind. What about the breakdown of family and moral values? We now have social media with Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, etc., with the constant need for recognition and approval. Then we have the movies, video games, and others that may promote violence. The local and national media are providing attention and recognition for those committing these crimes.

The present culture we live in seems to minimize respect, responsibility and accountability. We have taken prayer and respect for our country out of the schools and other public places. Tolerance and having to accept the changes, even when we know they are not right, are expected of us, to be politically correct. What did we think would happen?

It is sad, but now politics have taken over. This is no longer about the 17 lives lost in Florida. This is now about gun control, something the left has been pushing for decades (seldom recognizing the other causes mentioned earlier). I don’t doubt young people organized these smaller local rallies, but try to tell me they organized the mega gatherings on their own. Change needs to happen, I agree, but we need to change the proper things.

GREG STERN

Coeur d’Alene