Iowans must start asking candidates about gun violence

My daughter teaches middle school in Berthoud, Colo. On May 7 she was sitting in a meeting when police officers arrived at the school to say they were providing extra security because something was happening not far away in Denver.

In her words: 'There was an active shooter, actively shooting and killing someone's child just to the south of us. I am just so incredibly sad that this is our reality.”

In Iowa we frequently get opportunities to speak to presidential candidates directly, face-to-face, in real time. Publicly. Do it.

U.S. Sen. Cory Booker just rolled out a plan that would require all gun owners and first-time gun buyers to be licensed by the federal government. The process would be similar to that of applying for a passport. This goes beyond the usual lip service to an assault weapons ban. What are the other presidential candidates offering? We had better find out. Ask them.

I worry about my daughter and grandson who spend their days in Colorado schools. Gun violence can, and does, happen anywhere. That is why we have to ask. That is why elections matter.

Judy Ryan

Cedar Rapids