To The Reader’s Forum:

I wonder why some on the pro-gun/Second Amendment side don’t want to debate the “responsibility” issue or address the plight of victims of gun violence? Some want to limit debate to only the causes of violence in general and leave guns out of the debate. Columnist Walter Williams bizarrely suggested that after a bombing, because we don’t blame bombs, we shouldn’t blame guns for their role in shootings. Um, I don’t think bombs are legal or acceptable in any way, nearly 37,000 people died by guns in 2013 alone. I couldn’t find bombing death statistics. Sorry, Walter, but there is no analogy between guns and bombs.

But, let’s list some causes of violence: illegal drug production, distribution and use; domestic violence; prejudice; greed; jealousy; revenge; poverty; video games; mental illness; power/control (economic, political, sexual); and religious zeal. None of these are lethal on their face. Now bring guns into the equation. In my opinion, easy access to guns makes “violence” more likely deadly than not. So, until you can at least curb the causes of violence, ignoring the role that guns play in the ease and degree that violence is delivered is simply irresponsible and, more importantly, fails to recognize the loss of innocent lives.

On mental illness for example, why isn’t there outrage that the NRA leadership, who blames mass shootings on mental illness, refuses to take leadership to promote potential solutions? To deal with the myriad causes of violence will take more money and effort than most Americans are willing to provide. Talk about the causes of violence is cheap. You must also be willing to support solutions.

Tens of thousands of yearly deaths by gun violence cannot rationally be factored in as acceptable collateral damage of a “free society”. Ignoring the role guns play in annual carnage fosters a form of societal “insanity” doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. The causes of violence cannot be the end-all to the debate about guns. Society’s responsibility involves dealing with both cause and effect, and the gun is the common denominator. Don’t forget that only single-shot pistols and muskets existed when the Second Amendment to the Constitution was adopted. I know guns can’t be banned, but making efforts to control the destruction they cause should be a reasonable start towards sanity. I believe we owe it to the victims.

Paul L. Demler

Jamestown