Guns and society

Since 1990, the League of Women Voters has had a position to protect the health and safety of citizens through limiting the accessibility and regulating the ownership of handguns and semi-automatic weapons. We supported the original ban on assault weapons and high capacity magazines when it was passed in 1994.

The League of Women Voters believes there is no role for assault weapons or high-capacity magazines in a civilized society.

Paula Schwach

President

Johnson County

League of Women Voters

Westwood Hills

Situation normal

National Rifle Association’s response to gun violence: more guns. GOP response to fiscal cliff: lower taxes for the rich. In other news, the sun will rise in the east tomorrow.

Steve Frisbie

Olathe

Make America safer

Listening to so many of our elected representatives and their cowardly response to the carnage going on in this country because of firearms is more than a civilized person can comprehend, much less understand. When manufactures are responsible for damages because of defects, shortsightedness or carelessness, there are laws to protect the consumer and/or users. So why are the firearms manufacturers exempt?

It is logical that allowing people to have an atomic bomb would not be prudent, as well as grenades and bazookas. So why not use the same logic to see that certain firearms should dictate the same prudence and restrictions?

The time has come for citizens who have experienced the violence firsthand, along with those of us who have stood by, not wanting to get involved, to get involved. Call and write your representatives.

Let them know we are holding them responsible to enact legislation that will benefit all Americans, not just National Rifle Association enthusiasts. They need to hear from all of us now, and they need to know that if job security is so important to them, this is a big step in retaining their own jobs come November.

Sept. 11, 2001, changed our way of life, and now the NRA, the master of paranoia, wants to change our way of life again. If that is all right with you, do nothing.

If that is not all right, get involved one way or another. Your opposition is heavily involved and will have us back in the Wild West in no time.

Val Pfannenstiel

Mission

Guns, ducks, people

When people intent on homicide go hunting, the law allows a magazine that holds 30 bullets.

When people go hunting for ducks, the law requires a plug in a hunter’s gun so it can only hold three shells.

Clearly, the duck lobby has spent more money and has more power than the homicide lobby.

Ron Platt

Overland Park

Leashes for children

I have another way for people to look at leashes for children. My daughter uses a leash with her 3-year-old to keep him safe.

He has sensory processing disorder. This neurological disorder is no one’s fault, and he will have it all his life. With early intervention he has made a lot of progress with the help of Johnson County Infant/Toddler Services and now Shawnee Mission schools. But he has a long way to go.

One of the manifestations of this disorder of the central nervous system is impulse control. He’s very fast and can be gone toward danger in an instant.

Our daughter says it’s like grabbing on to water. A stroller or shopping cart might seem kinder, but that takes away his opportunity to practice skills and interact with his environment.

Also, children with sensory processing disorder have poor coordination and fall down a lot. On a leash he’s close enough to get help when needed, and the leash gives the adult control to protect others from his impulsiveness.

My daughter often calls in tears because of the unkind judgment of others. Until you’ve had a special needs child, you can’t imagine the challenges.

Jan Mulvenon

Lenexa

Gifts to remember

In this season of gift-giving I wanted to share “A Basket of Gifts”:

• Joy. Every day there is joy in your life if you take the time to look for it. A child lifting arms to be held, a dog chasing a Frisbee or a couple holding hands while walking. Open your eyes and see what is around you.

• Beauty. A friend complained that all the leaves were gone from the trees and nothing was left. On the other hand, enjoy looking at the bare trees to see the limbs reaching to the sky. Look up and see the cloud formations, a new day dawning or a day fading away. There is beauty everywhere.

• Love. I love chocolate. I loved the movie. I love you. May each one of you have love in your life for family, friends, a pet and even a job you enjoy.

• Acceptance. Accept yourself. You are a special person with certain gifts or talents. You need to appreciate who you are.

• Humor. We need to take the time to laugh at ourselves. Humor is found in everyday life, and something will make you smile today.

• Honesty. Honesty in everything — what you say and what you do. Wrong words or deeds will be remembered for a long time.

• Faith. Having a strong faith is important to your well-being. It will give you much comfort in difficult times.

A picture on my bedroom wall states: “Every day is a gift. Use it wisely.

Esther Kreekk

Overland Park