Readers Write: JD Vance’s visit, the Legislature’s inaction, mental health, gun safety

Opinion editor’s note: Strib Voices publishes letters from readers online and in print each day. To contribute, click here.

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During his visit to Minnesota yesterday, the vice president stated, “I think all of us, Democrat, Republican and independent, want these school shootings to happen less frequently” (“Vance visits Annunciation site,” Sept. 4). Less frequently? Really? How many is “less”? What’s wrong with none? Please, give us a target number we can shoot for that you would find acceptable.

Marc N. Burton, Minneapolis

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Following Vance’s visit to Minneapolis after the recent school shooting, U.S. Rep. Tom Emmer said, “They need to know that someone cares.” Please act like it, then, Emmer. Show it with your votes. Remove assault weapons from our state and nation.

Jessica Swartz, Minneapolis

My own family had a child killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School, by a young man armed with a Bushmaster assault rifle. I would add that the word “killed” doesn’t begin to describe what took place inside that building. Due to the destructive power of that weapon, the children’s bodies, and those of six of their teachers, were obliterated. Thankfully the incident here wasn’t even worse.

We should ask ourselves, why we are doing this to our children? What is the answer to that question? There is no rational or moral equivalence on both sides of this issue. Living with the constant threat of these horrendous events is absurd. The majority of citizens nationally, and here in Minnesota, have long supported bans on the manufacture and sale of assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. Whether due to ideology or political considerations, our legislative leaders have failed us on this issue. Through an impending special session we have a chance to get it right this time.

John Barden, Prior Lake

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Well, it sounds like the governor is planning to call a special session in an effort to address issues like the recent school shooting tragedy. I have a question for the Minnesota Legislature: If you were all meeting in session and an individual bent on taking your lives suddenly appeared in your chamber, would you rather see that person brandishing two knives, or an AR-15 with two extended clips?

Following every school shooting there is renewed call for stricter gun control. This is understandable, and there are policies that can make a difference. It is also insufficient.

Deep beneath the ongoing debate about gun control, the United States is facing a larger, quieter crisis: a mental health crisis.

I am not a mental health expert, but it doesn’t take a psychologist to observe that people who shoot children are deeply disturbed. Sometimes, when we learn the backstory, it turns out there were people who knew they were disturbed and yet, somehow, the shooter never received the care they needed.

Other times, even those closest to the shooter express complete surprise, as if there was no indication that their friend, neighbor or loved one was suffering.

How can this be? How is it possible that we, as a society, are failing so shockingly to care for people in obvious distress? How have we become so isolated from one another that no one may know we are suffering until it’s too late?

Bill Ruger, the famous American firearm designer and co-founder of Sturm Ruger firearms, once said, “No honest man needs more than 10 rounds in any gun.” In 1994 he said that his company would only sell high-capacity magazines to the police. His intent was to limit unnecessary legislation on what was or wasn’t considered an assault weapon and protect the public from high-fatality mass shootings. He was roundly criticized by the gun industry for his proposal. But Ruger’s advice makes sense:

There is no simple answer to eliminate the violence that occurred at Annunciation Church in Minneapolis. Efforts must be made on multiple fronts. Negative social media and mental illness related to these violent events must also be addressed. As a gun owner, I don’t feel a limit on magazine capacity is an affront to my Second Amendment rights, nor would it make me feel less safe.

“We the people” includes the little people who have the right to be safe in their schools, churches and anywhere else from the violence that they experienced at Annunciation Church and so many other places. Let’s start doing something to ensure they are safe!

Donald Swanson, Champlin

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Today, children and teens are required to complete the same gun-safety training to get a hunting license. Similarly, I also remember taking a rigorous driving course, which is mandatory before getting a driver’s license. You must pass the test, or you can’t drive.

But if you want to buy a gun, you plop down your cash, fill out a form and walk away with a weapon just as deadly as a two-ton automobile.

Why don’t we require a gun-safety certificate to buy a gun? Such a requirement could be integrated into our education curriculum, much like driver’s education in high school. If we are going to permit anyone to buy a gun, we should ensure they know how to use it safely and responsibly. A gun-safety course would not intrude on anyone’s Second Amendment rights, but it would help save lives.

Most gun owners would agree with me. They don’t want untrained hunters roaming the woods with them, just like they don’t want untrained drivers on the streets.

Richard Crose, Minneapolis

Her patient father then shared this story. As it turned out, on the day of the tragedy his daughter turned 2. After celebrating her birthday, blowing out the candles on her cake, she and her parents attended a vigil for those lost or wounded that day. Lo and behold, people there had candles, and what do you suppose my cute little neighbor did? She went around with glee, blowing out people’s candles (which her daddy quickly relit). Everyone smiled. A touch of innocence and delight in this most somber of moments. Bless the children!