Dear Editor:

In reference to your editorial “What is causing the madness?” dated 08/14/2019. We have now entered the apathetic phase concerning the last mass murder event covered by the national media. I write this hoping to maintaining a focus on potential solutions. Since your editorial, I have engaged with the BBR community in discussions on possible solutions. What follows are my observations and a shortlist of topics I hope we could use to promote further discussions.

Observations on the responses to several letters related to mass murder events using guns: The majority of the respondents tend to use generic, Pavlovian rhetoric like “Guns don’t kill people.” Some used racially charged comments about discounting statistics and or solutions that included non-white Americans living in urban areas, some suggested no action because the number of victims is less than fatalities from accidents, none came from women. A very few put forward the seeds of potential solutions.

Potential common ground and solutions worthy of further engagement:

• Mental illness: I believe everyone agreed that the perpetrators of these mass murders have mental health issues. In addition to addressing mass murder events involving guns, a benefit of addressing mental illness would be a reduction in the suicide rate involving guns. A very small impact here has the potential to save many Americans.
• Legislation: There is merit in simply implementing the existing laws. However, this would require consequences for not implementing them and budgets for monitoring that they are, both would require new legislation.
• Education: There appears to be some consensus that delivering better education will produce better people.

Since your editorial on 08/14/2019 there have been 56 mass murder events involving guns with 56 Americans killed, and 212 Americans injured. Hence the title 56, 56, 212. A debate on any of the topics above would be welcome. Please note: It is important what you call these events as it impacts people’s perception and government action. Calling it “shooting” implies something fun. For example, Skeet shooting is fun and I can recommend it. Murder is not fun. Additionally, the government, researchers and people treat “murder” differently than they do "shooting."

David Howarth
East Boothbay