How can this country, so technologically advanced, wealthy and with an advanced democratic system, be so blind to obvious reasons for the epidemic of death by mass shooting?

Let’s look at just a few facts:

1. About 40 percent of Americans say they own a gun or live in a household with one.

2. The rate of murder or manslaughter by firearm in the U.S. is the highest in the developed world.

3. In the U.S., gun related homicides represent 73 percent of all homicides; the ratio in the United Kingdom is 3 percent; Canada, 38 percent; and Australia, 13 percent.

Politicians from varying ideologies point to a multitude of theories for the latest surge in mass shooting incidents, including violent video games, mental health and so forth. There are suggestions for weak solutions such as improved background checks, additional resources for mental health issues. Look at the U.K. and Australia, where mass shooting incidents led to an obvious and simple solution; a complete ban on semi-automatic guns and rifles. Nobody wants to stop hunters from owning weapons to shoot animals. We should have sensible regulations to control ownership of deadly weapons, such as AK-47s etc., to mitigate against the senseless killing of young people.

John Sutherland

Groton