Misplaced blame

For all his concern for the decline in moral values in this country, columnist Walter Williams neglects to mention the current president as one of the factors influencing the immoral behavior of our society's citizens. The El Paso shooter posted on social media that Trump had influenced him to go on a shooting spree to "kill Mexicans." Trump has called white supremacists "good people" and encouraged bad behavior at his rallies. The immorality of his administration might perhaps be a better focus for discussion of moral decline.

Williams is correct that banning "rifles" would not greatly reduce homicide rates - handguns are used in the majority of fatalities that occur daily in America. However, he is incorrect that "gun control did not become politically acceptable until the Gun Control Act of 1968." The earliest efforts at gun control were during the presidency of Andrew Jackson. The Supreme Court has gone back and forth in its interpretation of the Second Amendment, often according to which way political winds were blowing. Is Mr. Williams aware that the Second Amendment was added to the Constitution in part to appease southern slave owners concerned about controlling their slaves?

Since the temporary ban on assault weapons implemented during the Clinton administration lapsed, very little progress has been made toward common sense gun legislation due to the powerful gun lobby which controls many members of Congress. If there is a "moral decline" in this country, I believe it aptly applies to those who care more about being reelected than protecting American lives. We can implement gun legislation without infringing on anyone's "right to bear arms." There is no hidden agenda to outlaw guns altogether. Although many factors contribute to violence and immorality, that does not mean we should do nothing to stop rampant gun violence in America.

Katharine L. Berman

Arlington Heights