Can you imagine?

It seems like some people think if the theater audience in Aurora, Colo., had been armed the killer could have been stopped [“Neon-haired suspect impassive in court,” News, July 24].

Can you imagine the carnage if 10 or 20 or 30 panicky people had started shooting in a crowded theater in the dark?

— Jerry Wheeler, Bellevue

‘Civilizations die from suicide, not by murder’

As usual, the anti-gun crowd is up in arms again demanding more laws banning arms. I wonder if they’ve noticed that the war on drugs has been so “successful” that there are many current movements to legalize more drugs, instead of banning them. I wonder if they recall how “successful” prohibition was in banning alcohol.

I also wonder if they understand that people who use guns illegally are called “criminals,” and the definition of a criminal is someone who doesn’t obey laws.

The news media reported that gun sales were up in Colorado following the Aurora shooting, but if you want to see gun sales rise, just wait until law-abiding citizens believe laws are about to be passed banning future sales of guns; gun stores will be sold out within hours.

Some folks try to justify their position on gun control by claiming the Second Amendment only allows guns to be used to defend the country from external enemies. Arnold Toynbee, British economic historian, observed: “Civilizations die from suicide, not by murder.” God knows this country is doing its best these days to prove him right.

— Gary T. McGavran, Bellevue

A much larger conversation is needed

Concealed guns are not a good answer [“Rethink Second Amendment,” Northwest Voices, July 29]. Imagine that theater with 100 additional guns in the audience, firing at the gunman. Now, imagine those additional killings by “friendly fire.” The intent would be honorable, but what about the aim? The emotions of fear, anger and self-protection would likely take over.

Many citizens wishing to carry a weapon take a firearms class. But how much training do they receive in handling themselves in a highly stressful situation, such as the event in Aurora? I believe it would make a bad situation much worse.

Second, gun education in our schools is not the answer — schools are already overburdened. In Seattle, driver’s education has now been eliminated due to costs. Are we willing to add one more subject to a full curriculum, at additional costs, from a public increasingly unwilling to pay additional taxes for services rendered? I doubt it.

We need a discussion, open and inclusive. So far, the National Rifle Association has handled this. I suggest they be a part of a much larger conversation that includes the broader community, police, the media and brave politicians.

— Lloyd Weller, Everett