The NRA called yesterday. It was my choice not to answer the phone; however, yesterday was different. I was listening to the news regarding the Colorado school shooting and firsthand accounts from students. I opted to answer the phone knowing it was the NRA. I asked how could they call anyone on the day of another school shooting. There was stunned silence.
When Westmoreland County Commissioner Gina Cerilli commented that she was for the Second Amendment and gun ownership, Republicans were furious. Only Republicans are for the Second Amendment and gun ownership.
Let me be perfectly clear: I as a Democrat support the Second Amendment and do not want to take away your guns. What I want is to take away bump stocks, increase the age of gun ownership to 21 and institute background checks before purchasing a gun even at gun bashes. I want support for mental health programs and education for parents and the public about signs of mental health issues and how to treat children with mental health problems before they become incarcerated for a mass murder at school, and a reporting system when someone is exhibiting signs of hurting others similar to ChildLine.
Our children are our future, and school shootings have become the norm. This newspaper doesn’t even make it front-page news.
Anita Leonard
Hempfield