Morality and Guns

Yes, Rep. Joe Barton (R-Texas), it could be said, in relation to the Texas church shootings, that “we had a man who went crazy, and that could happen anywhere” (Sept. 17). It could happen anywhere in the country, or indeed anywhere in the world. The difference being, of course, that in so many other countries the citizens, “crazy” or not, do not have such easy access to guns.

How did we get so fortunate to retain representatives like Barton, who protect citizens’ “right” to guns--over and above others’ right to life, not to speak of liberty and the pursuit of happiness?

DONNA HABER KORNBERG

Los Angeles

*

Texas Gov. George W. Bush is dead wrong when he says we cannot govern and legislate morality (Sept. 17). There was a time when people used to eat people. They passed laws and people no longer eat people.

It certainly inhibits my freedom not to be able to speed and to be stopped by red lights in my own auto. It’s against the law and the vast majority obey the regulations and laws.

There are hundreds of regulations and laws that infringe on my rights and freedom. It’s called the social contract that we make with our fellow human beings that makes us civilized.

DAN LEVIN

Beverly Hills

*

The Times used the quaint phrase “armed with only their courage” in its Sept. 16 editorial, “Grief and a Gun.” Courage is a wonderful thing and it’s something we all should honor. Unfortunately, many courageous, unarmed men and women have been gunned down by criminals with guns.

The solution is simple. We need more courageous, law-abiding men and women walking around with concealed handguns. It’s time to admit that force in the hands of good people is the only solution to the epidemic of gun violence.

GREG THOMPSON

El Segundo

*

A Sept. 17 article about mass shootings revealed that of the 12 listed, including Fort Worth, only four gun purchases were known to be illegal, six were legal, the others unknown. So what does enforcing the laws have to do with mass murders? Let’s face it: Every gun owner has the potential to be a murderer. Period.

BOB MARGOLIS

Los Angeles

*

The most recent shootings in a hospital and in a church are truly saddening events. Innocents are being blown away for no reason other than mentally ill individuals owning guns. It seems that the time is right to explore the treatment of the disenfranchised, angry loners. The scenarios have a common theme--acquaintances suspect that the perpetrators of these horrific acts are capable of some level of deviant behavior, but they were never sure how much deviance. It must be shocking to learn that your next-door neighbor is the person responsible for mass murder.

Perhaps gun control is not the only issue. Perhaps we need to seriously explore our treatment of disturbed individuals in our society. Mental illness is no longer a secret behind the closed door. It can be armed, unpredictable and very dangerous. It is a problem in desperate need of attention by the health care system, but is considered another problem entirely, or is it?

ROSEMARY FLAHERTY

Santa Ana