Gang Violence Abetted by Easy Access to Guns

Re “Slain Youth Wasn’t Allowed to Be Neutral,” Oct. 3: I was moved to tears over this senseless tragedy. These boys never had a chance. Daniel O’Neal Fitzgerald’s death is just one more example of the terrorism that exists on the streets of Los Angeles and elsewhere in this country, a terrorism that is fueled by many factors, most notably the availability of guns to any teenager who wants one.

How can any youth, regardless of his strength of character, overcome such odds? Daniel and his brother did everything they were taught to do ... they said no to gang affiliation time after time. In the end, all it took was a single shot from a kid with a gun.

I know there is no simple answer to gang violence. But maybe, just maybe, fewer guns in the world would be a start. Way to go, National Rifle Assn.

Joni Michel

Sylmar