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Stopping massacres is up to every American individually

Editor, Index-Tribune:

    

  Guns seem to be the first thing that surfaces when a tragedy like the school shooting in Newtown, Conn., happens, and discussion repeatedly gets us nowhere.

  I do not own a gun, nor have I ever used one. The old saying, “When guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have guns,” will always reign true.

  These senseless acts can be carried out in numerous ways without guns. Types of guns deemed legal absolutely need to be re-evaluated.

  However, the real problem is what is in the mind, the thought process and the actions of the perpetrator, and how they got there.

  This behavior is “learned” behavior, and I feel in most circumstances it comes from violent media exposure. From our current culture, TV shows to movies to video games and the like, there is an absolute lack of regard for human life. The Newtown assailant’s thought processes certainly didn’t occur from watching Mr. Rogers or Sesame Street.

  So what is the biggest step everyone must take in correcting it? The people have all the power, and it starts with each and every single one of us, by our refusal to tolerate any of it. If a TV show is violent, do not watch it, and do not patronize its advertisers. No sponsors equals no shows. Do not attend violent movies. No patronage means no budget for violent filmmakers. Throw out any violent home movies or video games. While most things in our world work best in balance, violence does not. It is zero tolerance.

  This is just too easy a place for all of us to start, and I feel it will make the biggest and most permanent impact.

  Everyone mourns after the fact, but who takes steps to correct anything? This is getting old, and costing many more innocent lives. If you do not do your part, then you are approving the behavior and you are part of the problem. If you really care, accept responsibility and start now.

  Gary Germano

  Sonoma