We all share grief, horror and prayers with those affected by the unspeakable crime at a quiet elementary school in Connecticut. Focus is already on what can be done to prevent a recurrence elsewhere in our country. Our first cold realization must be that, as long as there are human beings on this planet, there will be tragic violence. Secondly, removing the type of firearms used in the Connecticut tragedy from the hands of brutal criminals is not going to happen, no matter what law is passed. Attempts to do so have never proven effective anywhere.

Apparently, the Connecticut gunman blasted his way through a glass barrier to gain entrance to a locked school. Any system that will have any chance at being effective at preventing another such crime must include hardening all potential entrances including doors, walls and windows and ensuring that only one possible entrance exists for all visitors. However distasteful we may find it, that entrance must be protected by an armed guard who can stop such an incident before it starts. Playgrounds and dismissals, etc. will remain much less secure, but even our children must eventually come in contact with human beings.

Wesley B Anderson

Columbia