I definitely believe no one except a member of the military or a police force needs a semi-automatic or automatic weapon.
I also believe the average American does not need a magazine enabling them to get off multiple shots without reloading. This might, at least, give first responders or potential victims a chance to incapacitate a shooter.
I also believe in the rights of hunters. However, when you’re hunting, you only get one missed shot before the animal bolts away from danger. I also don’t believe the answer to gun violence is more guns.
I don’t hold out much hope that limiting automatic weapons such as the Bushmaster, AR-15s, Glock 10mm, etc., or banning high-capacity magazines will be enacted into law.
The NRA and the gun and ammunition manufacturers they represent are too powerful. They will simply obstruct any legislation hoping the outrage most of us feel dissipates.
That being said, reading in the Washington Post that there is already a proposed law in the Virginia legislature requiring teachers and principals to be armed got me thinking.
Maybe there’s another option while we work to sort out the root causes of our violent society.
Is it access to weapons, cuts in mental health funding, violent movies and video games or parental responsibility? Most likely, it’s all of the above.
When we lived in Amsterdam, they were installing what they called “man traps” in banks and jewelry stores with bullet-proof glass and metal detectors.
It’s basically a vestibule containing two sets of interlocking doors with an intercom and video that can be controlled from another part of the building. A person shows ID and/or explains their purpose for being there.
And, mind you, this is in a country where there are very few guns and crimes carried out with a gun are rare.
In the Netherlands if you want to go hunting, you go down to the local armory and sign out your gun.
If a man-trap had been in place, this latest shooter would not have gotten in carrying an arsenal of legal weapons. Additionally, bullet-proof glass everywhere in the school would have prevented the maniac from shooting his way into the building.
This system is also safe enough to be used in schools. Fire code would require that someone could exit the space while denying access to the secure area.
Why is it this, along with bullet-proof windows, couldn’t be federal law?
I can hear it now: “Oh no, our taxes will go up.” But, what kind of country do we want to live in?
A civilized society must have other priorities than simply taxes. I would pay higher taxes to protect our most vulnerable, wouldn’t you?
Elaine Monroe
Capon Bridge, W.Va.
Opinion
There are ways we can protect our most vulnerable people
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High priority
Maryland school officials on Tuesday put an exclamation point on the need to take student-athlete concussions more seriously.
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Why are there no answers to these questions?
We currently have the most corrupt administration in the history of the country. Every day more and more lies come from the Obama administration.
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Roaming dogs prove menace to some residents of LaVale
I am writing to inform your readers and the animal control staff of Allegany about a problem that is dragging on and unresolved, yet.
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These types should look to the Boy Scouts for an example
Consider these headlines:
NRA will “Never Surrender.”
The Tea Party will “Never Surrender.”
The No Tax Group will “Never surrender.”
Neocons will “Never Surrender.”
Far Left Liberals will “Never Surrender.” -
Housing project will have bad effect on property in this area
I am writing to you to voice my opposition to a low income housing project that has been proposed for construction on a tract of land on Pine Swamp Road in Mineral County, W.Va. I am a registered voter and resident of Mineral County and live in the New Creek/Pine Swamp area.
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Why have the media been silent all this time?
When I read the Cumberland Times-News Editorial this morning, Friday, May 17, entitled, “Outrageous,” I laughed like a kid at a birthday party!
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What are chances this much money will be spent on road?
I was intrigued by cost data summarized in reporter Kathy Mellott’s recent article, “Completing southern link of U.S. Route 219 said to be best use of highway funds,” which appeared in the Cumberland Times-News on Tuesday May 14 (Page 1A).
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School board should be doing better job with less money
The Allegany County Teachers Association (ACTA) board of directors recently submitted a letter to the editor asking the Allegany County commissioners to fully fund the Board of Education’s budget request for the upcoming fiscal year (“Commissioners should fund school board request,” April 29 Times-News).
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Better ‘Click It’
If you notice more police on the highway this week, it’s for a couple of reasons.
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Were they really good old days? You decide
When a fellow gets old, it’s not unusual for his mind to wander back to the days of his youth. He may forget where he laid his glasses five minutes ago, yet he can remember events that took place a half a century ago. This is one of the interesting things of old age.
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