Portman wrongly ripped
6/11/2013Your June 2 editorial “Pressure on Portman” implied that background checks aren’t done on sales by gun show dealers or online sales. This isn’t true.
Anyone who buys a gun from a licensed dealer at a gun show must submit to a background check. People who purchase a gun over the Internet can’t have it shipped to their house. They must have it sent to a licensed dealer, who must perform a background check before the new owner can take possession.
Gun-control advocates want to criminalize private transactions of firearms between law-abiding friends and neighbors. But none of these efforts has anything to do with preventing criminals or the mentally ill from obtaining guns.
Criminals sometimes steal their guns, and no amount of background checks of honest, sane people will prevent that.
If you truly want to reduce gun violence, you would support U.S. Sen. Rob Portman’s legislation to address substance abuse and mental health issues.
CHAD BAUS
Archbold, Ohio
Make up mind on Constitution
You have written a number of opinion pieces trying to pressure Senator Portman into supporting gun control based on what a majority of Ohioans want, the Constitution be damned.
A few months ago, you correctly wrote an opinion piece on gay marriage that stated the purpose of the Constitution is to protect the rights of the minority against the tyranny of the majority.
The Blade needs to stop flip-flopping. Which is it?
BOB THRASHER
Carskaddon Avenue
Bell should help students at home
In response to your May 9 Readers’ Forum letter “Bell should step in to lift schools”: Rather than having Toledo Mayor Mike Bell make a trip to the administrative offices of Toledo Public Schools, why not have him stop in the homes of some students?
He could make sure they are awakened, so they won’t be late for school; are fed, so they won’t be hungry, and have clean clothes. He could make sure they are bathed, have their homework done, and are prepared to start the day on the right foot.
Then, maybe that trip to the administrative office won’t be necessary.
NICHOLE CORDELL
Oregon
Editor’s note: The writer is a third-grade teacher at Navarre Elementary School.
Care of dead brings Benghazi to mind
Your May 26 article “War dead demand uniform perfection; Careful rituals unfold in Dover,”about the military mortuary at Dover Air Force Base, was powerful. We are right to take care of our fallen soldiers as they are brought home for the last time.
I wonder whether the four Americans who died in Benghazi received similar treatment. I’ll bet their families would have traded meticulous care of their bodies for a careful, respectful, and truthful explanation of what happened to them and why.
CHRISTINE HOLLIDAY
Claudia Drive