Consider guns’ role in violent acts

To the editor:

As we lit the Advent candle of Peace on Dec. 6, it brought to mind a couple of recent news reports.

In London a terrorist, armed with a knife, attacked some people in a subway. The police arrived and hit him with a Taser and detained him. No one was killed.

In California, two terrorists, armed with assault rifles, walked into a Christmas party, killed 14 and wounded 17. Hours later they were found and killed.

In England, and in most modern civilized nations on earth, guns are strictly controlled and mass murders are rare.

In America, with one of the highest number of guns per citizen, mass murders are so common they are barely news and no longer shocking.

In 1787, arms were muzzle loaders, a well regulated militia was our country's only defense, women could not vote and slavery was legal.

Fourteen families in California will be burying and mourning the loss of loved ones this Christmas so some in this country can worship the Second Amendment.

Some of us will celebrate Advent and its message of hope, peace, joy and love while worshipping as Christians. Our world is what we make of it.

Larry Hodgden

Tipton