Like many other fathers across the country, I had to try to explain to my child what had transpired in Newtown last week, and I had to do so with a profound sense of impotence. Our country has somehow accepted that the right to bear assault weapons and guns with multi-round magazines supersedes the guarantee all citizens should enjoy of being protected from undue exposure to harm.
I for one am tired of being cowed. The time for real gun control is now, and it can start with the Missouri Legislature heeding the call of St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay to amend the state constitution so that the cities of St. Louis and Kansas City can enact their own weapons regulations while waiting for the rest of the state to catch up. We have no greater duty than the protection of our children. For their sake, we cannot continue to remain silent.
Jorge Riopedre • University City
