The recent killings at a high school in Colorado are a true horror. They provoke outrage and shock. We extend to all those impacted by this violence, and to their family, friends and loved ones, our deepest sympathy. We pray they can find the strength, faith and courage to endure.
Whenever such horror strikes, it is natural for individuals to react quickly and emotionally. Often the reaction includes a call for some draconian form of gun control. Its an understandable reaction. People see guns being used to commit slaughter, so they jump to the conclusion that the solution is to ban the guns.
Its understandable. And its wrong.
Effective gun control will do only one thing: it
will remove firearms from the hands of peaceful, law-abiding citizens.
It will not take guns from the hands of criminals. It will not take
weapons out of the hands of anti-social elements. Those bent on doing violence
-- those intent on harming the innocent -- will always have the weapons
they need to do harm.
Our right to bear arms is our ultimate protection against tyranny. Guns in the hands of a freedom-loving populace is the greatest dread of every would-be dictator. And our right to own guns is protected by the Constitution no less than the right of free speech or free press.
We must have a re-birth of civility in our nation, a new respect for such fundamental values as self-discipline and responsibility. We need a renewed commitment to brotherhood and tolerance, an appreciation for diversity, and a deep seated commitment to the peaceful resolution of our interpersonal difficulties.
We do not need an attack on one of our fundamental
rights.