Letter to the editor: Getting guns under control

To the editor:

“Being proactive about guns” (Feb. 17 Journal-World) expresses a fine sentiment, but it fails to acknowledge, let alone address, the real issue: lax firearm security.

The opening statement: “Lawrence will soon learn how good it is at being proactive” largely places the responsibility for Lawrence being “proactive” on our public schools.

I feel this editorial sadly misses the point that the proliferation of unsecured firearms and their regulation in our community are the failings of us. We citizens need to be “proactive” if we are to prevent more school lockdown incidents.

It is patently unfair that USD 497, or any public institution, be held responsible for preventing incidents of gun violence. These public agencies have been legally hindered from providing gun-safe spaces by NRA lobbying that has intimidated Kansas legislators from passing laws that would protect our children from risk.

This editorial might have better served our community by urging citizens like us to better secure our legal firearms.

Let’s admit that we, not our institutions, are responsible for preventing problematic access to weapons.

Or better yet, we might want to lobby our Legislature for more sensible gun laws.

Steve Lopes,

Lawrence

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