The tragedy of Jared Loughner

(RE: Sex, guns and progressives: The search for old-fashioned grit | Firearms Lawyer”):

Jared Loughner is a deeply disturbed young man who should spend the rest of his life behind bars, if not executed. How he fell through the system is the elephant in the room question, in my opinion. I am growing so frustrated with the ever increasing intrusion by government into our personal lives. I understand that progressive Democrats believe that if we could all live under their regulations, the world would be a much better place, but it won’t because humans of all political stripes views are imperfect. Let’s look at how we can vastly improve mental health services to those desperate enough to act out their rage.

In recent times we’ve had this tragedy in Arizona, the killings at Ft. Hood by one of the psychiatrists, the September throat slashing of a college professor by a violent individual who posted on his Facebook that he was going to kill the governor of Missouri (somehow that didn’t make the mainstream media), and the attack at the Discovery Channel’s headquarters in Maryland last year. Maybe if we spent more effort recognizing potentially violent problems in our young people, we can get them the help they need before they are old enough or manipulative enough to purchase a weapon. I think I’m speaking for the rest of us average citizens who are licensed to purchase and carry a gun for the protection of our lives, our families, our homes and our property. No amount of regulations will stop a crazy person who has the will to do harm from causing tragedy or death to others. Sadly, the security at the Russian airport just learned this in the tragic bombing last week. I don’t see why the majority of law-abiding people have to be regulated to the point of distraction because of those with mental health problems and/or with perceived superiority delusions.

Robin Caldwell, Federal Way

—–

What are guideposts?

Mark Knapp’s essay “Sex, guns and progressives” didn’t explain the connection that he believes exists between “external guideposts,” a “progressive agenda” and guns. The crucial phrase “external guideposts” remains an enigma. What progressives supposedly believe and a very distorted telling of history receives about 60 percent of his words. The rest is movie review, a disclaimer and — in contrast to the disclaimer — a possible piece of the unexplained connection “ … baggage historically associated with the progressive agenda is one good reason to train well and keep your gun close.”

Internet postings attest to Jared Lee Loughner’s former philosophy instructor’s judgment that the young man’s brains were scrambled. Mark Knapp doesn’t seem so severely disconnected from reality. However, the fact that Mr. Knapp takes acknowledged fiction as his inspiration, and that he seems to be on a mission to mislead or inflame makes me hope that his irresponsible use of words doesn’t mirror his weapon handling.

Bill Carr, Seattle