In America, children are killing other children with guns, while the rest of us react, frozen in stunned horror. Well, not all of us.

Gun lobbyists – shielding themselves with egregious, bogus claims of “constitutional rights” – and gun manufacturers – justifying their greed and utter lack of responsibility with claims of “rights” as free-enterprise businessmen – are retreating to their bunkers to recover from the bad public relations, waiting for Americans’ amnesia and complacency to kick in.

Many gun owners seem to think they belong to a privileged class whose perceived “rights” take precedence over the absolute right of our children to attend school free from the fear of gun violence. As a school-crossing guard, I was required to get a background check. Why do so many gun owners oppose them? Surely, my neon vest and stop sign pose a lesser threat to children than the easy accessibility of guns.

Common sense dictates we enact mandatory universal background checks, which are currently not required at gun shows and flea markets. Common sense also demands we reinstate the ban on assault weapons. It’s absurd to believe we need the capacity to mow down 30 people to defend our homes and hunt deer.

Many gun owners say if we regulate gun purchases by law-abiding citizens, only criminals will have guns. Well, actually, most mass murderers were “law abiding” citizens right up to the point when they pulled the trigger.

We can’t stop all gun violence. But we certainly can make it more difficult for guns to get into the wrong hands. If one child’s life is saved by stricter regulation, it will be worth it. America fought against British tyranny and won. Now we must fight against the tyranny, and vanity, of gun worship in this country. Please write your congressional members.

Enough is enough.

Mary Benson

Durango