Media reports of mass shootings always generate a liberal knee-jerk reaction to thoughtlessly ban guns, but hypocritical politicians never include their own bodyguards in the gun bans. Wouldn’t it be far more rational to call for more law-abiding citizens to be trained to carry firearms for self-protection?

Why the surge in gun violence in our society now after always having the right to bear arms? What social change occurred that could attribute to the surge in murder rates?

In January 1970, the Supreme Court ruled 5-4 to ban the Ten Commandments posted in all public schools and government buildings. According to FBI statistics, the murder rate in the USA rose from 5.1/100,000 in 1965 to 10.2/100,000 by 1980. Perhaps a doubling of the the murder rate since banning the Ten Commandments is merely a statistical coincidence. However, what do we have to lose by at least posting signs stating “Thou Shall Not Murder” alongside the signs of “no guns” or “no smoking” that currently occupy the walls of our schools and government buildings?

If “no smoking” signs are intended to influence people to refrain from smoking, perhaps “Thou Shall Not Murder” signs may likewise influence people not to murder.

Dr. Joel I. Last

Greensburg

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