Editorial: Time for 'an honest discussion'

Talk about it

With the tragedy of Friday’s Newtown, Conn., shootings still fresh in our minds, plenty of talk has been swirling regarding what should be done to prevent such rampages in the future.

Anybody who uses a social media platform has already probably been witness to, or taken part in, some sort of debate regarding gun control since the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School. There are, of course, extremes on each side; some want sweeping changes to current weapons laws, while others vigilantly point to the Second Amendment and insist that nothing should take away a right to bear arms.

Regardless of what side people are on, they should at least agree that merely maintaining the status quo isn’t an option.

The Associated Press reported Monday that “West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin, a Democrat who is an avid hunter and lifelong member of the National Rifle Association, said it is time to move beyond the political rhetoric and begin an honest discussion about reasonable restrictions on guns.” The AP also reported that White House spokesman Jay Carney stated that “curbing gun violence is a complex problem that will require a ‘comprehensive solution.”’

We only hope that political alliances won’t keep those in Washington from working on what is literally a matter of life and death.

Tags: opinion, editorials, politics