To the Editor:
I have read Mr. Walter William’s article titled, “Are guns the problem, or are people?” (Jan. 20). I could not agree more with his honest and factual report of what’s happening to our young children. He hit the proverbial nail on its head, dead center. Kudos to you Mr. Williams. Thank you for telling it like is, was years ago and how it is now with our young folks. Your article should be published in every newspaper in the land, if not, in the world.
Let me add my two cents in support with his thinking and assumptions.
About 12 or so years ago, I and family, were living in Vienna, Va. I was at a Computer USA store looking at all the “new and improved” videos hitting the market place. I was standing next to a young boy (maybe 8 or 9 years old) who was playing a video game. I looked over his shoulder and said, “Wow, look at that.” As the boy was shooting at everything in sight during his fun game, he quickly turned and replied, “Really cool, it’s like killing real people!” Shocked and dismayed, I turned away in hopes that I heard it wrong. No, it’s exactly what that young kid said.
And since that sad day, I’ve concluded that our society is programming our young children to become “killers” via video games, and movies. This is sad, but true. My last thought on this subject is: “Guns don’t kill people, people kill people.” You can outlaw guns, then it will be knives, baseball bats, chain-saws, ice picks or anything else that would take a life.
And the debate goes on.
M.L. BARBANI
Washington