It's all about the children. This is not about the grownups at all. We see on television every other day when there is a shooting.

I can't speak for everyone in this country, but the idea of someone shooting up my grandson's school terrifies me. No one is saying take away your guns. Just stop and think just a moment that you take your kids or grandkids to the movie or the park or school or church. I would hate to think that one of these copy cats, mentally distraught kids should come into where you and your kids are and start blasting away at close range.

This is not the last time that we will have a shooting like this. The people's attitudes have changed from when we were kids. If we save one child a day, that would be great.

To do nothing to try and prevent these senseless killings would be an embarrassment to our country. Keep your guns but stop the sale of assault weapons. We do not need 30-round clips to go deer hunting.

Keep your guns, but enforce background checks. It won't hurt to have to wait a couple of days for a background check. We must at least try to save our children.

Robert Kirkland Jr.

O'Fallon