Letter of the Week: Gun laws put safety at risk

As we recognize the anniversary of the tragic shootings at the Jewish Community Center and Village Shalom, I am frustrated, incredulous, sad and mad at the actions of our Kansas and Missouri legislators. In spite of the number of homicides, suicides and accidental shootings, these irresponsible representatives have eased gun laws.

Citing the Constitution is disingenuous — clearly this was never the intent of the Second Amendment.

I urge all citizens who care about public health and public safety in relation to gun legislation to educate themselves about the positions of candidates and to communicate loudly and often to elected officials, demanding that common-sense gun laws are passed. The vast majority of the public is in favor of such laws and is owed the same attention as that paid to the minority of gun-loving constituents.

We must use the power of the pen and the ballot box to ensure our right to be safe.

Judy Sherry, a resident of Kansas City for more than 50 years, is a marketing professional. She has four grandchildren and is co-founder and current president of Missouri & Kansas Grandmothers Against Gun Violence.

This story was originally published April 12, 2015 at 10:00 AM with the headline "Letter of the Week: Gun laws put safety at risk."