William Bishop: Time to speak up against gun violence in America

I have long held that the debate over guns/control was a religious debate, where logic has no place. This is why I have chosen to not add my voice to the noise. But, after having had a two-year dialogue with a responsible gun owner/user and seeing the remarks by the idiot Wayne LaPierre being echoed as a serious proposition, I must speak out.

First, the ignorance and immaturity displayed by remarks from the National Rifle Association official is appalling. I have no doubt that Dylann Roof believed he was a good guy doing the right thing. I believe that no child (of any age) who still believes in “good guys” and “bad guys” should ever be allowed to get near a firearm.

Second, to argue that everyone should be required to carry a gun is childishly simplistic. The writer of “Everyone should have a gun” (Letters, July 10) sounds as though he’s looking for an excuse to shoot someone (preferably a “liberal”). To slow the slaughter of Americans by people with guns, I believe a graduated course on gun safety, proper gun handling and anger management should be taught in all our schools, from grade 1 through 12.

This story was originally published July 13, 2015 at 5:31 PM with the headline "William Bishop: Time to speak up against gun violence in America."