Sep 1, 2015 2 min read

I appreciated the Nicholas Kristof column that appeared in the Observer-Reporter Friday. Kristof cited statistics about gun violence that should send chills up all spines because they are so shocking.

Even without statistics, we have all had an inkling about the escalation of gun violence because we hear on the news or read in newspapers every day about more people who have died or been injured through gun violence or mishaps. The fact that American children are 14 times more likely to die from guns than in any other developed country should make our spineless legislators stand up and do something to make this country safer.

In some states, pediatricians are not allowed to ask if there is a gun in the house and give advice on how to keep those guns safely stored. One owner of many guns told me he keeps them unlocked and loaded because “what’s the use of not having them at hand and ready to use” even with teenage children in the house.

We thought the 2012 tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School would bring some sanity on this issue. Well it didn’t. How can we say this is still the greatest country in the world? Shame on us!

Mary Lou Burger

Washington