As I write this on Aug. 27, 2025, another school has become a scene of carnage, this time in Minneapolis. Once again, the weapon of choice was a military-style assault rifle.
For over a decade, since the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary, our country has been caught in a horrific cycle of violence, inaction, and empty condolences. Our schools, malls, and places of worship have been turned into war zones by weapons designed for the battlefield.
While Congress fails to act, the gun industry profits, having made over $11 billion from AR-15 sales in the decade after Sandy Hook. Thoughts and prayers from our leaders are not enough. We need their votes.
A federal ban on assault weapons (H.R.3115/S.1531) is waiting for a vote. I urge every reader to call their representatives and demand they pass it. The safety of our children cannot be sacrificed for profit and political cowardice.
Peggy Van Sickle
Brighton
