We live in a country that is unique with its addiction to guns, as opposed to any other civilized nation in this world. The power of the NRA over our politicians is unbreakable. However, mass shootings must be stopped. Semi-automatic assault rifles or hand guns with magazines must be removed from our society as they are "Weapons of Mass Murder." That is their only reason for being.

It took many years for us to reduce our addiction to smoking without making it illegal. We did it through the power of taxes and lawsuits. We can do the same with these weapons that were designed for military use only. As with cigarettes, you start with children, making it illegal to own or carry any firearm under the age of 17.

For the weapons identified as assault (semi-auto and/or with magazines) they would carry a federal tax of 100-plus percent upon purchase and if used in a mass murder the manufacturer and/or dealer would be open for civil lawsuits. It worked for the cigarette industry and can work with assault weapons.

Tom Flaherty

Mystic