From Columbine to Uvalde, NRA money keeps this uniquely American tragedy unfolding

Uvalde won’t be the last one

I have lost count of how many shootings we’ve had at schools, churches and nightclubs since the Columbine massacre in 1999. This country needs to wake up and realize there will never be changes in our laws while the National Rifle Association’s money continues to infect our government and grease the palms of lawmakers who block sensible gun control legislation.

The Robb Elementary School massacre in Uvalde will not be the last one. As sure as the sun rises in the morning, there will be another mass shooting at another school, and our politicians will be there leading the charge on television with their rehashed speeches offering thoughts and prayers to the victims and their families.

- Darrell Bartell, Fort Worth

We need our guns to defend

The real problem is ignorance. After a horrible tragedy involving guns, people get on the bandwagon to ban them. Some even go so far as to ask politicians, “How do you sleep at night?” Our Second Amendment says that we are allowed to keep and bear arms.

We defend our president, members of Congress and governors with guns. We defend our celebrities and sporting events with guns. We defend jewelry stores, banks and office buildings with guns. We defend our homes with guns.

You can try to “control” guns, but criminals and deranged people will always find a way to get guns of any caliber.

- Pamela Tucker, Fort Worth

Our leaders brought us to this

Life in America today is a monstrosity.

My synagogue is surrounded by police every Shabbat and holiday, because elected leaders cater to neo-Nazis and racists.

My patients die painful, pointless deaths because elected leaders made actual scientific fact into a political argument. I get screamed at in public for wearing a mask to protect myself and others because elected leaders have made it OK to do so.

Now, I sit in my kitchen weeping in fear at the idea of sending my son to kindergarten in the fall.

Rep. Kay Granger, Sen. John Cornyn and Sen. Ted Cruz are moral failures. Every person working against gun control and gun violence is a liar and a shill.

- Martha Kelly-Legler, Fort Worth

O’Rourke was way out of line

Whatever public relations firm came up with the very bad idea of Democrat Beto O’Rourke crashing a national news conference of Texas Gov. Greg Abbott should be fired. (May 26, 7A, “O’Rourke escorted out of news conference after confronting Abbott”) Focus should not be on politics at this stage of the Uvalde mourning process. I’ve never witnessed such a disrespectful act in my life.

- Rhonda Weaver, Weatherford

O’Rourke said what was needed

Beto O’Rourke is right. Now is the time to talk about gun safety.

Gov. Greg Abbott, Sen. Ted Cruz and and Sen. John Cornyn don’t want to talk about it because they have blood all over their hands. They are receiving funding from the NRA. They ignore the 90% percent of Americans who want universal background checks. It is the GOP that has politicized this issue at the bidding of gun-manufacturing companies.

If you are as heartsick as I am, vote blue. I’ll not vote for anyone who is supported by the murderous NRA.

- Faith Salfen, Arlington

Harden our schools further

I’m a retired peace officer with 46 years experience in law enforcement. I suggest that we secure our schools in the following manner: Have one main entrance and exit from the building manned by security officers with a metal detector. All bags brought into the school should be subject to a physical search. All other doors should have push bars with alarms that are activated when opened. The outsides of the doors should not have handles. If the school district can afford it, cameras should be activated on all doors and monitored by security officers.

- Robert Floyd, Crowley

Help kids with diabetes

I read the May 22 front-page story “No one is watching” about diabetic schoolchildren’s needs going unmet with sadness. Daily and even emergency diabetes management has advanced in many ways and is routinely provided by millions of parents and caregivers every day. The American Diabetes Association has a variety of free online resources for health care providers, parents and school personnel at www.diabetes.org/safeatschool

- Taylor L. Cole, Farmers Branch

The writer is North Texas board chair of the American Diabetes Association.