One thing strikes me in the tragic happenings in Tucson. We hear and read many sorrowful statements about what is behind this unfathomable tragedy. We have a minute of silence to think about the victims. We hear about the lives about the people who have been killed and the congresswoman of Arizona who is admired by many. We hear about the climate of violence in this great nation. We are outraged about the vitriol that is being used in the Congress some of the media. We believe that we need to turn around from this climate and become civilized again.

But how much do we hear from representatives of the people of this nation about the need to have effective gun control so that weapons do not get into the hands of potential criminals and hate mongers?

We need to rethink the value of the Second Amendment, which was created at a time when there apparently was a need for citizens to be armed. Do we live in the 18th or the 21 century? Who should have the right to bear arms? Who should not have the right to bear arms?

I realize for good Americans it is not acceptable to look at other countries and to see how they deal with crime, killing, guns and hatemongers. But perhaps we should do so and learn what they do to make the lives of their citizens secure. From time to time I work in a middle sized German town where I can ride my bike around at midnight and have no fears. Homicides hardly ever happen.

Armin Mruck, Towson