This is based on the recent massacre at the school in the state of Florida and all others that have preceded it. First, my deepest sympathy is expressed to the families of these victims. People want to blame the President or blame the NRA. If you are not aware the President nor the NRA issues gun permits.

What did the FBI do? Nothing. What did the school do when this person entered the building carrying a backpack that was prohibited? Nothing. What did the students who saw this guy and admitted something was going to happen? Nothing. What did the deputy based at the school and even those who arrived on the scene do? Nothing. These are the ones who share in the blame! Lives could have been saved if these groups had taken the proper action. Someone will say we can’t blame the students, why not? They saw this guy and knew his past and stated they knew something was wrong.

Also if I had a child who had lost their life in this situation, I would find it not only disgraceful but an insult and a mockery for those “laid down” at these protest rallies. You can raise the age to purchase a guy to 99 but when a person wants one, they will get one. Yes, I admit that 14 in some states is too young to make this purchase but there are more murders committed by handguns that by assault weapons. If a person who in underage obtains alcohol, drives while intoxicated and kills one person or several, who is too blame? Shall we blame the President? Shall we ban the use of vehicles? This person underage as he/she may be shall always find what they want.

No one wants to take the blame today. Everyone wants to sue someone or a group for whatever reason. In New York, a school cancelled the annual Father/Daughter dance because of fear of gender rights. Schools need to be concerned about the education of the students first and foremost. Parents need to be parents and take the responsibility of raising their children. Fathers need to be leaders and provide and support their children.

DISCONNECT TIME

Parents are just as guilty as children spending too much time on social media. Disconnect encourages parents to first turn off their phone and not allow children to bring any type of electronics during meal time. At Yarmouth, Mass., recently a family was in a restaurant for a meal and the father told the son to turn off cell phone and the son physically attacked the 63-year-old father in the face outside the restaurant. Mealtime should be a time to enjoy the meal and to communicate with each other. Disconnect encourages parents not to allow children to be locked in their bedrooms involved on the internet or other electronics. Oh my, someone just yelled they have the right and someone yelled this is abuse. A Texas father was arrested for theft after taking away his 12-year-old daughter’s cell phone. Do you not believe these games promote violence today? The parent has the right, the duty, and the responsibility of raising their children and providing leadership and training them to be responsible citizens. Again, it is not the responsibility of the school to raise a child. Parents are to be parents and not their child’s best friend. Parents must be involved in the life of their children. Unfortunately some parents want to live their life through their child’s. Some parents have no problem with the electronic baby sitter.

I read that someone stated that this event will result in these students making a change regarding gun control. Again you can raise the age to 99 but it will not prevent the person(s) from obtaining the weapon. We begin first with security in the school, rather it be security systems or armed guards. But people must be responsible. Making reports without the fear of retaliation. Caring about their fellow classmate! Seeking help for those admit or demonstrate unusual behavior. And last, copy cats (including those who think it is a joke) should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law allowable.

Is it really a good idea to arm teachers with weapons/guns. You crying to ban weapons, do you not think if a person wanted to do it in class all they would have to do is overtake a teacher? A teacher at Dalton High School in Georgia barricaded himself in classroom after firing shots. Leave teaching to the teachers and policing to the police/guards.

Yes, the school building needs better and more secure monitoring. You can put an armed guard in the building but from what we saw will this work?

Oh, don’t you think there are countries that would love to see America ban assault weapons? That would make us a sitting duck!

— Randy Talley, LaFayette, Ala.