If only teachers had guns in the classroom, the shootings could have been prevented, says the NRA and President Donald Trump. They urge that teachers carry guns to prevent these tragedies/atrocities.

I recently read that teachers with higher educations cannot be incapable of learning to use firearms. This solution or argument is a distraction from the real issues in this country. But let’s follow this line of thinking to its next logical conclusion. Let’s start with where shootings have occurred: It follows that members of Congress would have to carry guns when they are out and about, clergy of any faith would have to carry guns, postal workers, doctors, military personnel and civilians working on military bases, entertainment venues, office workers …

I know I am not able to come up with all the places, but let’s continue to the next logical step to airline and train personnel, grocery store workers, gas station workers, retail workers, dental personnel, restaurant workers, preschool centers and so on until every one has a gun.

As far as I can tell, this is the goal of the NRA and it is also the goal of the gun manufacturers because someone must profit.

In my lifetime the gun lobby has escalated from defending arms for hunting to arms for citizens to military style weapons for all. And they belligerently resist any attempt for regulation. That is a dirty word and we can see where lack of regulations and laws has led and is leading.

The argument for arming teachers and the citizenry is the only solution we will hear from the NRA, President Trump and the politicians in their pockets. But that is not the solution, and a majority of the American people including young adults, teen agers and children know this. We know the research is already out there. We know there are other countries that do not have this problem because they do have laws and regulations. We know we have to elect people to government who are for all the people not just the gun proponents.

Because of money in politics we have been made to see each other as the problem and that has caused a great division in the country. But what would the “paid for politicians” do if we stopped looking at each other and looked at them.

It is time for an adjustment. We and responsible gun owners can speak out and organize against this runaway train of gun abuse. Become active in the next election. Get out the vote and make sure everyone you know votes.

Annette Pfannebecker

South Deerfield