This is a very difficult time for all Americans and my heart aches for all of those who have lost family members or friends in the senseless killings in Orlando ("Maryland LGBTQ and faith leaders condemn Orlando attack," June 13).
We are under attack by a radical Islamic fringe group who is determined to destroy our way of life. I truly believe the vast majority of Republicans, including Donald Trump, do not feel that all Muslims are terrorists, and I personally will defend the right of anyone to practice their faith.
The reality, however, is that there are individuals who will do everything in their power to kill us. It does not matter if they are lone wolves or directly involved with ISIS. If they buy into their radical ideology the end result is the same.
I am a proponent of gun control. I don't think anyone in this country other than law enforcement should have an assault rifle. I also feel that it should be much more difficult for people to obtain handguns and guns for sporting and hunting use.
But the reality is that if guns are not available to terrorists they will use other methods to kill us, as we saw in the Boston bombings. Gun control should be addressed, but let's not loose sight of the biggest threat we face right now, which is not guns but ISIS.
It is time for our leaders to focus on this critical threat to our lives with a laser-like intensity and not quibble about whether the mass murder of innocent Americans in Orlando was a hate crime or the result of lax gun control.
The reality is that Americans and others around the world have been and will continue to be killed by ISIS unless the group is stopped.
Mary Mullan, Lutherville