To the editor:

As a college student, I marched in protests and collected signatures on petitions against the Vietnam War. But was I in the war? Did I personally know anyone in the war? Did we make a difference? I don’t think so.

The young people I see now marching in protest against outdated gun laws ARE in the war. They have seen their classmates, friends, brothers, sisters and teachers die in the war. And they are reaching the age to vote. As one young woman said to lawmakers, “We are coming for you.”

Yes, we need better methods of screening those wanting to purchase guns. Yes, we need better access to mental health facilities. Yes, agencies need to be more alert to potential problems with mentally unstable people. I hear, “If guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have guns.” I don’t want to take away hunting weapons or even some self-defense weapons. I do, however, want to take away those weapons intended solely for the purpose of killing the masses. I hear that our citizens have always had guns and there have never been as many killings as there are now, so it must be an issue of something other than having guns. Well, our citizens have not always had AR-15s. If our culture and our mind set has changed, shouldn’t our gun regulations change as well?

Today, I am greatly moved by what I see happening with our young citizens. They can make a difference. Today, I have hope.