Michigan echos ~ all gun violence is prevenable

Three letters to the editor in published in Michigan's "Lansing State Journal"

Letter number 1.

Congress, stand up to the NRA

Lansing, Michigan ~ Another shooting equals thoughts and prayers. But, our greedy Congress accepts blood money from the National Rifle Association (NRA) to do nothing about stricter gun legislation. Since 1968 more than 1.5 million people have died on U.S. soil, as a result of guns; yet, Congress keeps offering their "thoughts and prayers". One shoe bomber's failed attempt to blow up an airplane resulted in Congress enacting stricter safety regulations at airports. We now take off our shoes in the screening process prior to boarding a plane. Congress, it is time to man up on gun legislation and prove you can't be bought.

Ann Lawrence, Lansing

Letter number 2

Vote out blood money

Grand Ledge, Michigan ~ Yet another mass murder of school children causing untold grief and pain. Assault rifles have no place in civilian hands. They are military weapons. Politicians who accept blood money from the National Rifle Association (NRA) must be voted out of office at the next opportunity.

Deanna Hanieski, Grand Ledge

Letter number 3

Take military weapons out of civilian hands

Okemos, Michigan ! I am an 84-year-old retiree. I served in the United States Marine Corps during the Korean War. I am familiar with military weapons. These weapons should not be available to civilians. Some politicians and the NRA suggest that school teachers could have a weapon to protect their students. This is insane! Can you imagine a teacher pulling out her 38 revolver to battle with a deranged maniac who has many rounds of ammo in a semi-automatic or automatic military rifle? The solution is to take military weapons away from civilians. We should also take steps to deal with our mentally ill populations.

Louis Bacon, Okemos (Meridian Charter Township, Michigan)