Sounding off: Raising age to buy a gun won’t stop violence

Eighteen is a very important number for teenagers. You are considered an adult in the eyes of the law. You could be drafted or enlist into the armed forces, and they would give you a gun. Eighteen-year-olds insisted that if they could be drafted, they should have the right to vote. They got it.

Now, President Biden and the liberals are talking about raising the age you are allowed to legally purchase a firearm to 21. They say this will reduce mass shootings. They are wrong. An immature 18-year-old will probably be an immature 21-year-old. It won’t stop the violence. It is nothing but an attack on the Second Amendment, and would take away some of our rights.

Don’t punish law-abiding citizens because of the actions of criminals.

Kathleen Bollinger, Fawn

Abortion is distraction from bigger issues

I think the Democratic abortion issue is a distraction from the real issues of President Biden’s inflation and illegal alien invasion.

Instead of the media hammering Biden with “you got a big defeat” with the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision, they went with his “it ain’t over” routine.

This irresponsible Catholic has his crew trying to figure out ways to get around this new reality, including transporting women to other states for this “health care” at taxpayer expense. Should they have a support person go with them for abortions at taxpayer expense?

If the government wants to transport women for abortions, shouldn’t it be required to pay to transport men to get needed operations in other states?

George Biskup, Penn Township, Westmoreland County

Examining church’s calculations on value of life

In the article “Some religious leaders laud abortion ruling, others say choice is needed in ‘morally responsible circumstances’ ,” Pittsburgh Bishop David Zubik, at a news conference at the Little Sisters of the Poor site on Pittsburgh’s North Side, said, “We’re maintaining a consistent message that’s been part of our faith tradition. I think it’s important to help people understand the value of human life.”

Does the Catholic UPMC Mercy Hospital provide free prenatal and child birth care? No questions asked? Is this the tradition?

Asking, because I don’t see this value advertised by Zubik on the UPMC Mercy website, and he chose to hold talk at the Little Sisters of the Poor.

Seems that maybe Zubik and the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh have economic calculations for the “value of human life,” and understanding this economic calculation will be useful for parishioners to more clearly understand.

P. Michael Lobalzo, Renton, Wash.

The writer is a Bakerstown native.

Pa. needs reset in higher education funding

According to data from the Education Data Initiative, the average cost of in-state tuition in the United States is $9,349. In Pennsylvania, the average cost of in-state tuition is $27,400. The sooner we have consensus and recognize that the cost of in-state tuition in Pennsylvania is not normal, we can move this discussion along.

That’s why I support Rep. Eric Nelson’s College Voucher Program (“Hempfield lawmaker’s bill targets Pitt, Penn State funding.”)

For some, a college education is a part of the American dream. It opens the door to better-paying jobs and creates oppor­tunity. But what happens when students can’t afford to attend college? Pennsylvania sends over $580 million to Penn State, Pitt and Temple each year. Yet an education at one of these schools is not affordable for many Pennsylvania students, especially those who live in low- to moderate-income households or working adults trying to complete their degrees.

Pennsylvania needs a reset in how it approaches education. Nelson’s College Voucher Program is the right move for Pennsylvania. Let’s redirect that money back into the hands of students to control their own path. Students can use the money as a grant toward nursing school or trade school, community college or a different school of their choice. The important thing is that the College Voucher Program places the decision in the hands of the students to create their own bright future, instead of blindly into the pockets of a major university.

Gregory Mertz, Greensburg

Bridge accountability

Concerning the very, very concerning article about the “investigation” results released about the Fern Hollow bridge collapse (“Fern Hollow Bridge inspection troubling but did not suggest imminent danger, experts say”): Will we taxpayers ever get any true accountability from any of our “employees”?

This article, the accompanying photograph and especially the words spoken by the “experts” should scare each one of us. Outlandish, outrageous and totally incompetent does not even begin to describe the condition of PennDOT.

From the article: “The best possible condition for a bridge is a 9, Papakonstantinou said. Anything less than a 4, he continued, will immediately raise a red flag and require imminent intervention. ‘A 3 means you absolutely will get attention within two years,’ he said. ‘Lower than 3, things get ugly.’ ”

Is this man serious, in believing that we should pay him one more dollar for his job? Does this man actually believe that we are idiots?

He and others, trusting to luck — instead of photographic evidence? Perhaps that’s why the Fern Hollow Bridge inspection rated its condition a 4, instead of a 3, because every “expert” involved thought the bridge would last more than two years?

Total incompetence. That’s so much more dangerous than the condition of all Pennsylvania bridges, by far.

John Fleischman, Vandergrift

Safety trumps privacy

Here is a thought. Whenever there is a mass shooting, authorities check the shooter’s social media accounts and find all kinds of red flags. Why not check social media accounts as part of the background check for red flags? Some may say this would be an invasion of privacy. Doesn’t our safety and that of our children trump privacy?

Brian E. Krupar, Hempfield

Who knows what’s next for women, and others?

Congratulations, Republicans. You have successfully removed women’s rights to govern their own bodies. Well done, indeed. With that pesky task completed, we can’t wait to see what you do next. Women being employed, driving or even being allowed to leave the house on their own might lead them astray.

Surely, your careful guidance is required here, as well. Head-to-toe covering is popular in other countries. Perhaps you will enforce it for American women as well. After all, you wouldn’t want them making decisions like that. Who knows what could happen?

While you’re at it, why stop there?

Same-sex marriage and interracial relationships are some of your other peeves. Why let women have all of the fun?

Republicans, just put on your jackboots and party like it’s 1939. You know you want to, and so do the rest of us.

Brian Luce, Buffalo Township