Georgia shooting: You can’t explain away US gun violence by saying ‘mental illness’ | Opinion

Near Atlanta, barely a month into their school year, a 14-year-old opened fire, killing 4, wounding at least 9 more. I’m sure we’ll hear that the perpetrator was mentally ill, that “guns don’t kill, people do.” True. But, IT IS STILL THE GUNS. Unless we Americans are willing to claim that we have more mentally ill individuals than any other nation on earth, there is no other way to explain why we have more gun violence.

I’m talking about our “right” for ordinary citizens to own assault weapons, minimal background checks and requirements for licensing or training. Yet we require an automobile driver to be registered, undergo physical examination, and demonstrate competency before being allowed to drive. And they aren’t allowed to drive a military tank.

Diantha Daniels, Hillsborough

Kidney deaths

The author is Principal, Coalition to Modify NOTA

Last month, the U.S. House introduced bill H.R. 9275 with bipartisan support. It proposes providing a reimbursable tax credit of $50,000 ($10,000 over 5 years) to anyone that donates a kidney to a stranger.

As the bill’s name implies, the goal of this 10-year pilot program is to end the needless deaths of those with kidney failure on the kidney transplant waiting list. Over 90,000 people in the U.S. are on that list and half of them will die before receiving a life-saving kidney. No one should die while waiting for a kidney.

H.R. 9275 specifically requests to modify the National Organ Transplant Act (NOTA) of 1984. The End Kidney Deaths Act will change that and save up to 100,000 lives and $37 billion in taxes over the next decade.

Matthew Harmody, Southern Pines

What’s at stake

Elon Musk, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Tulsi Gabbard offer help clarifying what’s at stake in the election.

Gabbard, an Iraq war veteran and former Democrat representative from Hawaii, describes our international situation under the Biden-Harris administration:

“This administration has us facing multiple wars on multiple fronts in regions around the world and closer to the brink of nuclear war than we ever have been before.”

Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., in endorsing Trump, describes the modern Democratic Party as “the party of war, censorship, corruption, big pharma, big tech, big ag and big money.”

Elon Musk believes “Censorship is a certainty if Dems win.”

Tom Shuford, Lenoir

Grocery bags

If the big grocery store merger between Kroger and Albertsons occurs, I hope that one line in the merger contract might read: “And, by the way, finally, we will now collectively abandon plastic bags at the check-out, or at least make customers pay for them.” Kroger’s Harris Teeter stores locally still pile up petroleum-based, future-landfill and ocean-clogging plastic. Now might be the moment to make a change.

Rosemary Haskell, Chapel Hill

Investing in libraries

Wake County’s libraries are more than just books—they’re vibrant community hubs that foster learning, connection, and growth. For many, they provide essential access to technology, helping people find jobs, connect with loved ones, and learn new skills. Seniors, too, find companionship and support through dedicated programs.

As Wake County grows, our library system needs continued investment to keep up. Last year, 3 million visits were made to our 23 libraries, but many locations are aging and our county’s population has outgrown others. This fall, voters will decide on a $142 million bond referendum to build new libraries in expanding areas like Rolesville and Apex, replace others, like Wendell, and renovate multiple existing branches.

Passing this bond will ensure that our libraries remain a vital resource for learning, connection, and community. Please join me in voting “yes” and supporting the Wake County Library Bond Referendum—it’s an investment in our future.

Adam Eggenberger, Raleigh

Flagstock 2024

Regarding “Rager for the ‘broletariat’: UNC frats party at Flagstock 2024 (Sept. 3):

As a once-proud UNC alumnus who values civil discourse and peaceful protest, I can think of many ways to spend $500,000+ dollars of charitable donations rather than throwing a beer party for needy fraternity brothers and sorority sisters.

James Womble, Raleigh