Face it; we need to talk about guns

Jim Robins, Las Vegas

Monday, Dec. 24, 2012 | 2:01 a.m.

I am so saddened by the recent events in Oregon and Connecticut. These mass murders occur in our country with a frequency unlike any other country in the world — why?

I am neither pro-gun nor pro-gun control. I am only in favor of ending this insanity. I was born and lived my first 44 years in Canada and have never owned or even fired a gun in my life. I am now a U.S. citizen.

In a discussion with an acquaintance, I said I hoped these dreadful incidents would spur us to at least discuss alternatives that may prevent them in the future and got the traditional response — “Guns don’t kill people; people kill people.” My initial response was to reconfigure this insensitive gentleman’s nose — although it never happened, it was a distinct possibility. Now, let’s assume I had a concealed weapon in my pocket, pulled that out and ended the same guy’s life. I am the same person in both circumstances, and the only factor affecting this guy’s life was whether or not I used a gun to “express my displeasure.”

So I implore people of this great country to quit hiding behind weak justifications — stand up and face the fact that we have a problem and be willing to help solve it.

The Second Amendment gives all the right to keep and bear arms — I didn’t notice any language approving the use of assault weapons designed to kill groups of innocent people, especially little children.