We see it in the news every day: stolen weapons used in murders or robberies, often both.

First, the term we should use is weapons, not guns. When discussing “guns,” the message becomes politicized and emotional, which undermines reason-based discussion and solutions about the topic.

Americans have a long history of display cases and other less-than- secure ways of storing weapons. Those with weapons often succumb to apathy and allow their weapons to languish in obscure but not secure locations — until they are stolen, sold at estate sales or given away. Even the weapons we know and love are often unsecured.

Into this interject another of America’s traditions: tax cuts to incentivize behavior and “create jobs.” We have seen these behavior modifiers work well. Two examples are home ownership with tax deductions for home mortgage interest and the proliferation of solar panel installations.

Why not also employ tax cuts for American- made “gun safes?” Once our weapons are secured in a safe, they are as benign as toy guns.

A.J. Stones

Penn Township, Westmoreland County

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