The gun violence issue has been a particularly emotional issue for those people who had loved ones either lost or hurt by guns.

It’s obvious that the NRA simply doesn’t care. During a particularly violent time in America, the NRA has been promoting more membership and it sure seems they are openly laughing at the people who are frustrated at the continued death and pain being inflicted.

As long as the NRA continues to contribute money to the Republican Party, nothing will be done. It is no secret that if the party doesn’t support what the NRA wants, the money stops coming. That is a given.

Kind of like the agreements that the Koch brothers have made with Republicans. When you think about it, who is really making decisions for our country? Old rich oil barons? Lobbyists? Or our elected officials?

Rep. Peggy Bennett has been quoting as saying, “supporters and detractors of gun control legislation need to speak to each other, stop calling each other names and making accusations, and have a serious discussion on this issue.” 

She also has said she “supports ensuring that the background check system works and wants to revamp mental health systems to ensure that the mentally ill and chemically dependent do not resort to gun violence.” The problem is that the Republicans are more concerned about someone driving slowly in the highway passing lane than they are about our children dying in school.

We currently live in an even more divided country, thanks to our bullying president. Ironic, isn’t it, that his wife wants to concentrate on reducing bullying? It really is laughable, since her husband ruthlessly bullies people by calling people names, degrades people and enjoys hurting people or damaging their reputations. Although, his wife does have a point.

Bullying is a problem within our country. When people are mistreated, whether you are a youth or an adult, bullying create an atmosphere that leads to suicides and violence.

There is literature that suggests that mental illness isn’t really the major problem. Not sure why Bennet keeps bashing on that. She also states that people need to stop yelling at each other. Rep. Bennet, why not give people who want decent gun control laws a voice or a hearing so that these practical efforts can be heard? But Bennett’s party won’t let these bills be heard. They don’t want the public to know that reasonable gun laws can be written.

No one wants to take guns away from hunters. Let’s just keep guns out of the hands of the wrong people and keep the wrong guns out of the hands of non-soldiers.

Paul Tuveson

Woodbury