The nation is reeling in grief as a result of the killing of the young children and staff in Newtown, Conn. I am sure this community is painfully suffering as most of the world is as a result of this thoughtless act of a young man that lived next door to many of families that are affected.

The media is constantly evaluating what could have possibly caused this inhumane act. Majority of the commentary has pointed at additional gun control being needed. Our country has numerous extremely intelligent people. President Obama and Hillary Clinton have been actively seeking various avenues to eliminate our Second Amendment rights to bear arms and this disaster fell right in their laps.

Does anyone really believe that gun control would have prevented this event? Or is it possible that the larger contributing factor was mental health? And how or what could have been done to diagnose the issues that this young man was obviously dealing with. If a person is determined to commit an act such as this, they will follow through with their demented thoughts and find the weapons to fulfill their desires. If it is not a Glock pistol or an assault rifle, then they will find a hunting rifle or shotgun to use.

Does anyone really believe that before firearms, we did not have crimes such as this committed. Does the capacity of the magazine really effect the eventual outcome?

It was reported that the man involved was extremely intelligent, therefore intelligent people are extremely dangerous. That makes no more sense than thinking gun control could have prevented this act. It would be interesting if the Muskogee Phoenix would conduct a survey to see how people from this area feel about whether gun control or mental health was the major contributor to these senseless murders.

Our thoughts and prayers continue to go to the families and friends of those killed. Some will heal slowly and some never will.

JIM JOLLIFF

Park Hill