Gun control might factor how we vote

I try to imagine how it must feel to have a child the victim of a senseless act of violence with guns. I know that I could never truly imagine the horror of the act and the depth of the grief. But along with sadness for the victims and their families, I feel a long-held frustration and an ever-growing anger at the ones who could do something about the problem. We have many laws, as the gun advocates keep reminding everyone.

We have the Second Amendment, though I would question gun advocates' (and the Supreme Court's) interpretations. Proposals President Obama and others have made do not keep hunters from the guns they use for hunting. They also do not prevent personal, legal ownership of guns. But requiring background checks for all purchases and a ban on assault weapons just makes sense. It also makes sense to limit the size of ammunition magazines and to ban armor-piercing bullets. Closing gun show loopholes is a must, as is the ability to trace a gun from owner to owner.

Our president can and does offer comfort to the bereaved; law enforcement acts quickly and well during and after a mass killing; the public begs for action. Lawmakers talk about mental illness and do nothing about the availability and types of guns. Citizens call out the NRA, and our elected officials take NRA money and excuse themselves from any action.

An A rating from the NRA is considered a badge of honor. Perhaps a negative NRA rating, plus a promise to address the subject in ways that make sense, should be a factor in how we vote in coming elections. A government that serves its citizens instead of gun manufacturers is not too much to ask. We must demand better.

Carol Honeywell

Wheaton