On Jan. 8, 2011, a deranged loner in Tucson, Ariz., seriously wounded U.S. Congresswoman Gabrielle Gifford and killed nine others in a bloody massacre.  Since then, there have been more than 70 mass shootings in this country. On the average, 32 people are murdered by guns every day in the United States. As a nation, we should be appalled.

Current polls show that the majority of Americans, including gun owners, support a wide range of policies aimed at reducing gun violence.  Despite the NRA’s outcry, no one is trying to take away a private citizen’s right to own a firearm for self-protection, hunting or recreation.  What’s more, many of us would agree that the culture of violence in this country is a complex issue with many causes, and many possible solutions.  However, the power of the weapon to create mass destruction does make a difference. And this is something that we can address right away.

We urge the 147th General Assembly to pass legislation as proposed by Gov. Jack Markell that would require background checks for private firearm sales; require the reporting of lost and stolen firearms; ban the sale, manufacture, delivery and unlawful possession of large-capacity magazines and semi-automatic weapons; and ban the possession of a firearm within 300 feet of a school.

Delaware, and the nation, needs to do the right thing.  We need to take steps to end, or at the very least, reduce, the insanity that keeps repeating itself month after month, year after year.

Irene an Edward Fick
Lewes