Action against guns

All those newspaper articles and TV interviews with police officers pleading for protection from assault weapons in the hands of paranoids and criminals; the pleas from our responsible elected officials; the letters to the editor seeking gun control laws in order to stop violence in schools and homes and on the streets -- all efforts have hit a wall because of the power of the National Rifle Association and the deluded, far-right conservatives who believe weapons will protect them from these maniacs who kill indiscriminately.

Since so many of our lawmakers refuse to act because they are beholden to or frightened by the power of the NRA, it's time for new tactics. Why not take a leaf from the "tea party" organizers? Let's organize marches everywhere in favor of banning assault weapons and for responsible gun control laws. Let's send a clear message to legislators -- if they want to be re-elected, they must pass effective laws to protect our police and the citizens.

Rhetoric has been useless and repetitious. It's time for action.

RUTH LEVINE
Mt. Lebanon