Gun violence victims day

Every day I’m astounded by the number of stories in The N&O that include gun violence. The Feb. 20 front page included, “Trooper, shot four times, expected to recover” and a story of the diamond heist by individuals with automatic weapons. Page 3A covered Pistorius’ killing of his girlfriend who was behind a locked bathroom door, reportedly thinking she was an intruder. A 4A headline was: “California shooting spree leaves 4 dead.”

We’re inundated by national and international reports of gun violence. We must support changes in our laws to provide gun safety. More guns are not the answer. In the last 30 years there have been at least 62 mass shootings in the U.S. and not one was stopped by an armed civilian.

Today is National Day of Action-Gun Violence. Pause for a minute to remember the victims of gun violence. Then join in the effort to improve gun safety and stop the killings.

Ann Louise Barrick

Stem