NEW CASTLE —
Last month’s elementary school shooting in Newton Conn., produced a strong public reaction.
The deaths of 27 people, including small children, will have that effect.
The tragedy has prompted the Obama administration to push for new restrictions to ban so-called assault weapons and high capacity ammunition clips.
But the effort is expected to face tough opposition in Congress, and perhaps for good reason. In many ways, it’s a half-hearted measure that may appeal to gun control advocates, but likely wouldn’t do much about violence in America.
In reviewing what happened in Newton and similar mass shootings in the past, it’s worth making a few points clear.
First, the people involved in these attacks are emotionally or mentally disturbed. These are not rational acts that can be prevented with tougher punishment or unenforceable measures.
Second, assault weapons cause a fraction of the shooting deaths in America. A handful of incidents generate considerable attention. Yet over the course of time, individual shootings take a far higher toll with little public response.
It seems America has become numb to these types of killings.
But if the goal is to thwart unbalanced individuals with access to high-capacity weapons, it’s not clear if President Obama has outlined a course of action that will help. Our concern is that instead of a broad-based effort to prevent these killings, the president has set the stage for another one of those Washington sideshows that produces considerable heat, but no light.
Granted, Obama used his executive authority to direct the Centers for Disease Control to conduct additional research on gun violence. But whether that comes close to tackling the issues of what causes disturbed individuals to precipitate mass shootings is far from clear.
We think a case could be made to impose additional restrictions on certain types of weapons. America already limits general access to fully automatic weapons, bazookas and other military-type arms. Where the line is drawn in terms of what is — and is not — permissible is open for discussion.
But gun restrictions ought not to be hollow, feel-good measures. There should be some evidence they will enhance public safety without restricting legitimate use.
And they absolutely ought to be tied to a broader effort to identify and assist the mentally ill. Without that piece of the puzzle, these mass killings will persist.
Editorials
Our Opinion: President’s gun proposal misses larger concern
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Our Opinion: Make the most of your power to vote by casting ballot tomorrow
So what kind of turnout will there be for tomorrow’s primary? Recent history suggests somewhere between low and lousy. This year’s elections are devoted to local races, and there are few major ones being contested in the primary.
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Our Opinion: Privatization of county jail is worthy of examination
Generally speaking, we support government efforts to seek more efficient ways to provide essential services. So we have no problem with the decision by the Lawrence County commissioners to solicit proposals for the private operation of the county jail.
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Our Opinion: We endorse candidates for New Castle board
The New Castle school district is often a study in contrasts. There are complaints about the district on everything from taxes to nepotism, from test scores to ethical slights. Yet at the same time, plenty of students within the district excel. It’s a tribute to the hard work of those students, their families and the educators who support them.
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Our Opinion: You should be frightened, outraged by IRS abuse of power
When people talk about government posing a threat to citizens, a common topic these days is unmanned drones. But a more credible threat may be the Internal Revenue Service. This agency, responsible for collecting taxes and enforcing related rules, has the ability to make life miserable for the average individual.
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Our Opinion: Our endorsements for City Council race
The city of New Castle needs help. Financially distressed and operating under Pennsylvania’s Act 47, New Castle must find ways to reverse its population loss and fiscal challenges.
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Our Opinion: Court frowns on gerrymandering, but only slightly
Pennsylvania legislators have received the green light to put their own political interests ahead of yours. That’s a key point in the latest Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling on legislative apportionment in the commonwealth.
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Our Opinion: Study says distracted driving deaths are under reported
Suppose you operated a piece of heavy machinery at your job. And suppose it’s machinery that moves quickly with little effort. What would happen if you decided to take one hand off that equipment — while it was still in motion — and instead focused your attention on a telephone call?
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Our Opinion: Senate seeks to give states more taxing power
Congress is taking a stab at tax fairness. At least, where states are concerned. If you’re looking for meaningful reform of the federal tax code, that’s going to have to wait.
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Our Opinion: Look at handling of bombing suspects is warranted
We welcome an investigation into the handling of intelligence related to suspects in the Boston Marathon bombing. That probe may reveal little of value.
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Our Opinion: Right to know reveals intermediate unit problem
At this point, we have few details regarding the resignation of the director of this region’s intermediate unit. Apparently, there was a problem with purchases Cecelia H. Yauger made with a government credit card through the state agency that provides support services to area school districts.
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