Letter to the editor: Meaningful gun legislation needed now

One of the most shameful aspects of American society is the epidemic of gun violence and our failure to respond with meaningful restrictions. Continuously, we allow access to assault weapons, permit unlimited magazine capacity and thwart meaningful background checks. We even go so far as to permit “open carry,” allowing individuals to parade our streets visibly toting AR-15s.

Worldwide, only America deals consistently with mass slaughter due to guns. The carnage occurs on a regular basis: 19 Uvalde children, the latest of 27 school shootings since this January, some 310,000 incidents since Columbine, and 274 mass shootings with 1,536 deaths and nearly that number wounded since 2009. And this isn’t counting the daily nonschool shootings.

Those opposing any gun legislation rely on a convoluted reading of the Second Amendment, yet our rights under the Constitution are not unlimited. Free speech, for example, does not permit us to yell “fire” in a crowded theater. The issue is thus centered squarely around basic political will.

Democrats as a whole support meaningful gun restrictions, the kind aforementioned. Republicans, however, have stood nearly unanimously against any gun restrictions regardless of the continuing carnage. So, draw your own conclusions. It shouldn’t be that difficult to know whom to blame.

The abomination of political indifference and obstructionism cannot continue without bringing this country to its knees. Public polls show overwhelming support for meaningful gun legislation. Prayers are needed, but action is demanded! We owe that to all the victims of gun violence who cry out for justice.

Ron Slabe

Oakmont