On gun laws, free college
Same old words
Regarding “Loosened gun laws roll out across Texas” (Page A13, Sept. 2): Thanks very much for publishing an article on the eight new, less-restrictive gun laws that went into effect on Sept. 1. It was very helpful to me in writing a letter to Gov.Abbott in which I told him that he’s a hypocrite.
In a news conference after the shooting in Odessa, he said, “Too many Texans have lost their lives. The status quo in Texas in unacceptable, and action is needed.” The “action” he took when he signed the eight loosened gun bills into law certainly changed the status quo — for the worse.
Evelyn Nolen, Houston
Eyes on Texas
Sadly, when Texans are just reeling from last month’s mass shooting in Walmart in El Paso that killed 22 people, the latest shooting in Odessa claiming eight lives, including the shooter’s, clearly indicates that Texas — and America, too, as a matter of fact — has become a killing field fueled by unchecked gun violence and ineptness in Congress. Ironically, a series of new firearm laws went into effect in Texas on Sunday, just hours after the Odessa shooting. The laws will further loosen gun restrictions in a state that’s had four of the 10 deadliest mass shootings in modern U.S. history. The new measures were all passed during the 2019 legislative session.
Atul M. Karnik, Woodside, N.Y.
Mitigate the carnage
As a Vietnam War veteran I have been in a firefight and how one would react is abig unknown. I’ve seen trained soldiers go berserk and shoot at everything in sight. That’s why in the heat of the moment I worried more about “friendly fire.” I also didn’t want to wound or kill one of my friends.
The idea of civilians walking around with side arms or, worse, assault rifles is beyond scary. When a mass shooting happens, how would you know which shooter started it if you didn’t see the first shot?
We will never be able to track down and identify every potential mass shooter. Banning assault weapons will be a good start. At least we can mitigate the carnage.
Jon Dansby, Houston
Key to prosperity
Regarding “With U.S. labor shortage, it’s OK to skip college” (Opinion, Sept. 2):
Every person should get as much education as possible because education opens doors where we did not know there were doors. College grads have a wide variety of employment choices because they have accomplished the not-easy task of working long and hard to achieve their goals. They are smarter and will earn more money than high school grads and much more than high school dropouts. A good education will benefit you for the rest of your life.
The only negative of going to college is the student-loan debt that often comes with the degree.
Today we need to offer free tuition in public college as we do in high school so that every high school grad can take the next step toward a full education.
Education is the key to prosperity for individuals and for nations.
Jimmy Dunne, Houston