Letter: Guns not the problem

Jane Cox responded to a concern about what could cause a South Carolina 12-year-old to shoot and kill another child. In doing so, she blames the proper protections of Second Amendment rights by various South Carolina politicians, as if such legislation makes it easier or more likely anyone would use a firearm to commit any crime.

Like too many, she seems to believe the problem is "gun violence." It isn't.

A lack of proper parenting, a lack of religious foundation and very likely a lack of a father in the home, or at least in a child's life is the problem. Gun control has never been shown to reduce crimes committed with guns anymore than laws against murder and theft have eliminated those crimes.

The problem is a lack of character. The proper response is to have high expectations, hold people accountable for falling short of them and to encourage honesty in assessing the reasons for our cultural decay and the courage to correct the culture's course.

Art Casper

Palatine