Treat causes, not symptoms

OPINION:

In 1955 when I was 14, my father gave me an actual weapon of war, a World War I-era, 1903A3 30-06 rifle. Each year thereafter I hunted and provided deer and antelope for food. When I was 15, I purchased a 9-shot, .22-revolver that I used to shoot tin cans with my older brother and his friends. Sometime within the next decade, I acquired another “weapon of war,” a 1911, .45-caliber semi-automatic pistol. To date, I have never once considered shooting someone with any of these guns, and it was not because of some “commonsense” gun laws.

Do you remember when, in the 1970s, the government enacted a national 55-mile-an-hour speed limit? This was Congress’ solution to the problem of poor automobile design, and it was a lousy one. It took Congress years to finally address the cause and require improved fleet mileage standards.

Isn’t it time to finally address the cause of gun shootings rather than the more easily identified symptoms?

LT. COL. DALE CARLSEN

U.S. Army (retired)

Woodbridge, Virginia