Dear Editor,

It seems that everyone has jumped on the political bandwagon since the massacre at the Connecticut elementary school. Politicians are using it to further their careers, and raise their approval ratings. Entertainment individuals of all genres are voicing their positions on gun control, pro and con. The National Rifle Association suggests that we post military personnel at schools.

No matter what our government does, it will not completely stop the senseless murders of innocent lives. If you take away their guns, they will find another avenue to complete their quest. Whether it’s a gun, a knife, a pipe bomb, fertilizer or poison, a crazed individual will find a way to get the job done. There is no easy answer to explain their behavior other than they are hate-filled, mentally challenged or wanted to be famous.

Hollywood seems to be among the biggest problems, along with today’s video games that are filled with violence, along with the media. You can’t turn on the television without seeing a newscast of violence, or a show that crime isn’t the theme. The mainstream media glorifies mass shooters, because it’s a tool for ratings and more advertisements. The higher the body count, the better the ratings.

I think one of the best ways to prevent a school massacre in Alabama, is to raise the bar of security at our schools. Our legislators in Montgomery should address this, come up with proper legislation that would allow “highly trained faculty members” to carry firearms for the protection of the students and employees. Metal detectors may be somewhat costly at first, but the consequences of no protection far more outweigh the cost.

Ever since Cain slew Abel, people have been killing other people. It’s not going to change. Removing altogether or banning automatic or semi-automatic guns is not the answer. Lastly, on a side note, I can’t recall any massacres while I was going to school, but that was before society removed God from the schools!

Mike Dowdy

Hartselle, Alabama