Needed gun control

Whatever happened to good old common sense when it comes to the issue of gun control?

Now that we have a president who has finally acted on gun violence in the country, we hear the usual bluster from the GOP screaming that our rights are being taken away.

As citizens we, too, have the right to be able to send our children to school without the fear of having some crazed gunman murder them or having to face some ideological nut case gunning down innocents for his warped beliefs.

Also, why do we allow the sale of assault weapons designed for the military to be sold to the public?

It’s a proven fact that states that have implemented universal background checks have seen large declines in gun deaths.

We should do the same for all the states, yet because of Congress’ inaction, we continue to be the only advanced country in the world that tolerates this level of gun violence.

It’s time for something to be done, and President Obama’s executive action is a small first step for sensible gun control.

This story was originally published January 9, 2016 at 12:00 PM with the headline "Needed gun control."