Solve disagreements by talk, not guns

I was disappointed to read that the Marion City Council voted to allow guns to be carried in public buildings. That disappointment turned to disgust when I learned that city councils of both Kalona and Marion were bullied by nonresidents who just wanted to make a point.

That disgust turned to horror with news of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords' shooting in Tucson, Ariz. Note that the shooter was incapacitated bodily by two people, not taken down by someone carrying a gun for personal protection, the reason usually given for wearing guns.

Reason dictates that the only people who need to carry guns within city limits are police and professional security guards. Others are in town to live quietly or conduct business peacefully.

We need to rethink our attitude toward coexistence. Let us behave as evolved humans who resolve disagreements by talking, not by violence. And to curtail inflammatory language such as that heard so often in the last election campaign.

I urge business owners to declare their establishments gun free for the security of their patrons. And I encourage everyone to support organizations such as The Center for Violence Prevention at the University of Northern Iowa, which is dedicated to violence prevention training.

Elizabeth A. Belden

Alburnett