No one is asking to ‘legislate away hate’

I am in complete agreement with my Rep. Ashley Hinson's words on yet another tragic school shooting, this time in Perry, Iowa:

"school shootings are absolutely terrible ". …"horrific tragedies" … "and I think if we could legislate away this kind of hate we would have done it by now."

Far be it for me to remind her of what can or cannot be legislated since, after all, it is her job.

In the interest of public safety, I would like to remind Ms. Hinson of only a few of many things that are legislated for public safety:

Laws that keep people from operating motor vehicles or heavy equipment if they are unable to do so safely.

Laws that govern the distribution and use of numerous drugs and controlled substances.

Laws requiring safe handling and disposal of chemicals that endanger people or our environment if not done so with knowledge and care.

Laws requiring that people working in construction and maintenance demonstrate training and competence in their field order to protect the wider community.

Dear Ashley. No one is asking you to “legislate away hate.” However, common sense legislation that keeps guns away from people who, for whatever reason (hatred, illness, immaturity, incompetence, or momentary blinding rage) is completely doable.

You just have to do it.

Deborah Dakin

Mount Vernon