The mass killings at Sandy Hook Elementary School have reopened debate on gun control.

God has been taken out of our schools and abortion, video games and violent movies are all being blamed. The extreme gun owners are on television and radio threatening to attack our government if they have to give up one gun.

Evil is present among us.

We need to take responsibility and look at what we can reasonably do to combat evil. If every reader would say a prayer for all children and parents of this country and for our political leaders both locally and nationally, I believe it would be a great start.

Parents and care givers of our children should step up and take responsibility for the television, movies and video games to which their children are exposed.

We can take steps to make our schools safer.

I have not heard any discussion on changing the physical layout of schools. Perhaps school glass doors should be changed to heavy solid metal doors, or have a secured limited access area during school hours complete with resource officer.

We cannot legislate morality or evil. We can change legislation to limit the availability of military style weapons and clips that hold 30-100 rounds. When the Brady Bill was in effect, no lawsuits were filed to overturn the limited restrictions it placed on these weapons. While this will not stop all evil killings, to do nothing is to give up hope and just sit back until the next Sandy Hook massacre.

Judie Paganelli

Florence