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Why is our government so paralyzed and paranoid about taking steps to stop school massacres?

Whose child has to be in the next? Unfortunately it may have to directly affect the children of “important” people. But one thing is clear — the NRA is more important in Washington, D.C.,f than all of the anonymous children who have died.

Our Founding Fathers could never have imagined the weaponry found in our world today. They had to load one shot at a time. The Revolutionary and Civil wars would have been over in weeks instead of years had they had access to today’s weaponry. The Second Amendment held a much different meaning then than it does today. And that amendment does not need to be — and should not be — jeopardized by common sense practices.

Saying it is all a mental health issue is the lamest of cop-outs. That excuse doesn’t work now, never did and never will. Perhaps millions of people in our country suffer from some degree of mental health issues and most of it is treatable IF they can access that treatment. I hope you have noticed that millions of people are not committing these heinous crimes.

“You’re in our thoughts and prayers” doesn’t cut it. Fulfill your responsibilities. Politicians don’t often walk among the unwashed except when they want our vote but it’s time for you to stand up for us.

Protect our children now. We can’t wait any longer.

HELEN NEWTON

Sandpoint