GUNS: Follow Israel's lead

Our nation has heartbreakingly endured another school shooting. The debate rages trying to deal with these horrific attacks.

If we would stop for a moment and think beyond the political rhetoric, common sense would tell us additional laws won’t help. The shooters have already broken the law and have no regard for it. Stricter laws already enacted have had no effect. How can stricter legislation be a deterrent? Criminals break laws; that’s what they do! We have gun-free zones in our schools and it hasn’t worked! Just more laws, ending in mass murder.

I am encouraged by one solution being discussed. The nation of Israel enacted it 40 years ago, and they did it successfully. A nation constantly under attack had to do something, so they put armed guards in their schools and it worked!

We could easily hire veterans and retired police officers for this. Those who choose a life of service generally want to continue to serve. They could observe behavior, as well as be much-needed mentors to our kids. This could be a two-fold success, giving purpose to the retiree’s life, as well. Armed guards, or even allowing teachers to conceal carry would add protection to our most precious asset — our children.

It is dangerous to define guns as the problem and restricting them as the solution. When does one ever reach the answer to a problem by dissemination of incorrect information? Certainly not in any other area of our lives. We won’t find answers by defining the problem incorrectly! Let’s get to the heart of the problem — why do kids kill kids? Until we get it figured out, let’s bring in armed guards.

JAN CONNER

Athol