To the editor:

A letter to Sen. Jerry Moran:

On Monday my daughter’s high school was put into lockdown. As I received calls and texts from the school, I feared for her. Not only for her safety, but for her little heart and how scared she might be.

At dinner, she explained how her orchestra teacher told the students to lock the doors. They were given instructions over the intercom that they did not need to barricade the doors. She said it wasn’t a situation where they needed to prepare to fight. I’m sad and angry that she and her schoolmates must live through these frightening experiences, let alone always be on guard for when and if they will happen.

I understand you prefer to address the root issue of gun violence. But I implore you to put more restrictions on gun purchases. I understand you strongly support the Second Amendment. But those who wrote it had something much different than assault rifles in mind. The firearms at the time were muskets and flintlock pistols.

I believe the right of our children to go to school without fear should hold more weight than the right of people to own guns. Yes, we should continue to focus on supporting family values and law enforcement and mental health, but it would be a small sacrifice for a few to even prevent one horrific, life-altering incident of our most vulnerable and their loved ones. I’m confident Jesus would make a similar sacrifice for our children.

Marc Havener,

Lawrence