Leo Dodds
Stockton
I want to be clear. I do not want our community to experience what those small children, parents, responders and townspeople experienced on Dec. 14, 2012 in Newtown, Connecticut. This letter offers some real steps each of us can take to better ensure that such a tragedy does not recur.
As U.S. citizens, we need to initiate a frank discussion on our current federal guns laws, leading to real changes in the types of weapons that are to be allowed, and limits on the accessories and modifications available to make these weapons even more lethal.
This is a public health and public safety issue only. Increasingly, it is the most vulnerable in our communities who are targeted and murdered in the absence of common-sense federal laws; and of community resolve to stand up to the gun interests who have bullied our politicians.
We must do more than to create makeshift shrines or to hold candlelight vigils complete with teddy bears, in the wake of these preventable tragedies. We can do better than to say our hearts are broken. I do not want to have to attend such a vigil in my community.
There are three actions you can take right now:
1. You can turn in any assault rifle or extended magazine you may have in your possession. Just take them to your local police station.
2. You can send your federal and state government representatives an email via their websites, saying that gun safety will be a key determinant in your next voting decision. And you will hold them accountable in the next election if real change does not happen.
3. You can tell you neighbors and friends any time this topic arises, whether you think the current laxity of our federal gun laws is unacceptable in this society.
There are many things we may do to make our community safer; these three are a good start.

