Letter: Gun control must become a priority

The United States has made some wide turns in its life. The more recent revolve around violence. Not withstanding violence worldwide, we have manufactured our own brand.

Compared to 22 other high-income nations, the United States' gun-related murder rate is 25 times higher. And, even though the United States' suicide rate is similar to other countries, the nation's gun-related suicide rate is eight times higher than other high-income countries. The study was published by The American Journal of Medicine ('Violent Death Rates: The US Compared with Other High-income OECD Countries, 2010”). The statistics and stories abound even further in this apocalypse.

We seemed to have 'Crossed the Rubicon” unable to turn back. President Ronald Reagan was shot by John Hinckley Jr. and in the melee James Brady received a devastating head wound. The Brady Bill resulted trying its best at gun control and the reception was embarrassing. Congressional member Gabrielle Giffords was shot in the head at a political rally. No outcry loud enough to reset the country on gun control. The Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting took the lives of 20 children, six staff members and the shooter's mother. I don't recall legislation forthcoming here either.

Now what do we do? After 152 mass shooting in 2017 an attack on Congress has our attention. Now they want protection. What about protection for everyone? Why is our mental state so confused? Why are we so passive? So many questions and so few answers. The country must come together and defeat this 'death knell.”

John Carver

Decorah