Letter to the editor: Thoughts and prayers not enough to stop shootings

Once again there is a school shooting. Once again the people who vote against sane gun laws offer their thoughts and prayers. Well, guess what? That is not enough.

When the Founding Fathers gave citizens the right to bear arms they couldn’t have imagined the guns of today. At that time there was little protection provided by law enforcement. They had to have the ability to protect themselves.

Times have changed. That rule no longer applies. The Republicans of today go on and on about being pro-life. State after state is enforcing strict abortion laws. I would like to ask them if an 8- or 9- or 10-year-old’s life is not as important as a fetus. I would say their lives are more important. They have personalities and families who love them. Pro-life should be all life, not just the unborn.

If the Republicans could have a little empathy, it would go a long way. There are so many things in this country they should be addressing, but they are too busy banning books and drag queens reading to children.

Children see things differently than adults. They are not born with prejudices. That has to be taught to them. Hitler not only banned books during World War II but also burned them. Is that next?

People have to band together and march in the streets. Vote out all the politicians who are in the pockets of the NRA, gun lobbies and gun manufacturers. Thoughts and prayers don’t stop bullets.

Nancy Cochran

Springdale