Tarrant County’s kids are dying. Texas officials, tell us your plans to fix it — now

Tarrant County, demand a plan

After reading Sunday’s front-page story, “101 dead,” about the horrifying surge in teen homicides in Tarrant County, I was encouraged to learn that the Star-Telegram plans to explore the consequences of current gun laws and to seek accountability for those tragic and totally preventable deaths.

I hope you ask the governor and every state and federal legislator to go on the record with their plan to reduce gun violence. Ask if they believe that allowing anyone of any age to buy an unlimited number of firearms at gun shows reduces teen homicides.

Ask if parents should be prosecuted for leaving their guns unsecured, resulting in accidental shootings, murders and teen suicides.

Sadly, unless a shooting happens in their own families, most legislators turn a blind eye to any gun-safety reform over fear for their reelection campaigns.

- Sharon Austry, Fort Worth

It is everyone’s duty to vote

There are no little elections. There are no unimportant elections. Local elections shape state elections. State elections shape congressional elections. Congressional elections shape presidential elections. And presidential elections determine foreign policy, domestic policy, monetary policy and defense policy, and presidents populate the judiciary.

Fellow citizens, if you are eligible and do not vote, be ashamed. If you are eligible but are not registered to vote, do not call yourself a conservative, a liberal, an independent or even an American. Nonvoters insult every patriot in the grave and every living veteran.

Democracy is not a spectator sport.

- Paul R. Schattman, Arlington

Which one is a bigger threat?

Republicans believe that a woman with a uterus represents a threat to society and requires governmental regulation.

Democrats believe that a man with a gun represents a threat to society and requires governmental regulation.

When I go to vote, I have to decide which party will provide more protection for me and my family. It’s a no-brainer.

- Larry Mason, Azle

We rely on these programs

The reliably insufferable Nicole Russell concluded her Tuesday opinion piece with the absurd assertion, “Socialism fails every time it’s tried.” (7A, “If you think inflation is bad now, wait until Biden cancels billions in college loans”)

Oh really? Don’t tell the police department, the fire department or the FWISD. I had no idea that Hulen Street was actually paved by private capital. We must close the failure that is JPS Hospital immediately.

Is Russell ignorant or is she intentionally spewing malicious propaganda?

- William Joslin, Fort Worth

Stealing is never understandable

It is outrageous that Fort Worth City Council member Chris Nettles would suggest that stealing from big box retailers is OK if you were a little short or really needed it. (April 27, 5A, “Fort Worth police get new license plate readers”) Such a man is not fit for office. The commandment is, “Thou shall not steal.” There are many food banks, churches and charities willing to help the unfortunate.

If police get new equipment to counter crime, as reported in the news story, do we want a City Council member who complains it might hamper some of his constituents?

I don’t know where Nettles lives, but I don’t want him in my neighborhood.

- Curtis Basham, Fort Worth