Toughen gun laws to stop the carnage

How many mass shootings are National Rifle Association supporters prepared to face? What can pierce the heart of those who are in favor of carrying weapons around in daily life? Why on earth are AR-15s and the like allowed for sale at all - they are military weapons? No other country permits this carnage.

We teach our children not to fight, but to try to work things out together or with an adult adjudicator. At what point do some people change their sense of maintaining social mores and respect for human life and conclude that shooting other humans is allowable? Why are laws governing permits made less strict, not more? Why do we not adequately fund treatments for mental illness? Easy access to dangerous weapons only exacerbates the likelihood that these will be used. This applies globally, which is why we attempt to limit the spread of nuclear weapons.

Are our lawmakers so fearful of the NRA's influence on their political incumbency that they care more about their positions than the safety of their neighbors? Which legislator will be the first to speak the truth independently even if it means breaking party rank? Our Congress and state governments do not govern for the people - they are weak. How many children have to die before our society sees sense? This does not make America great.

Sonia Ettinger

Iowa City