Readers hold forth on gun management, zoning for housing and the Nationwide Anthem

Swarthmore, Pa.: With greater than 130 mass shootings within the U.S. to date this yr, we’re on tempo to document a staggering 500-plus mass taking pictures occasions in 2023. In reality, firearms at the moment are the main explanation for demise for younger individuals on this nation.

When individuals speak about American exceptionalism, gun violence isn’t what they take into consideration, but it’s one in all our most distinctive options. Not making an attempt to fight and counter that is sheer insanity, but Congress refuses to enact gun management favored by most Individuals.

Greater than two-thirds of adults polled favor banning military-style assault weapons and likewise banning high-capacity gun magazines. The Structure does assure us the suitable to bear arms, but it surely clearly doesn’t prohibit the passage of gun management laws.

Opponents declare that such bans would solely be the start and would proceed till weapons in non-public possession are banned of their entirety. This argument is a purple herring, meant to distract from the rationale to enact a ban and to obfuscate the difficulty.

It’s time to make commonsense gun regulation a central concern in our elections, to vote out of Congress the recalcitrant members who refuse to abide by the desire of the individuals and cross laws that may assist to finish, or not less than reduce, the carnage attributable to these mass shootings. Ken Derow

Ozone Park: Lauren Boebert actually “owned the libs” along with her gun-filled Christmas greetings. However she additionally owns the deaths of these lovely 9-year-olds. Present her and everybody else the bullet-ridden our bodies of all the youngsters who died from her weapons of struggle. It’s time for excessive measures. John Landers

Rockaway Seaside: Sure, I’m an American. Sure, I’m pleased to stay right here. Rightfully, we condemn the horrors of the Holocaust and present worldwide aggressions and atrocities. How, then, can we overlook and allow the unrelenting slaughter of our schoolchildren and different innocents? Congress, step up! Uphold human integrity by barring lethal weapons! Legislate towards the shameful NRA, which might do one thing however has performed nothing to alleviate a horrible ongoing scenario. This was once the land of the free. Not anymore. We’re all being held hostage to gun violence. Either side, do one thing! Maureen McNelis

Lengthy Island Metropolis: Pat Lynch complains on March 27 that giving the general public entry to body-worn digicam footage will trigger police to “face the prospect of boundless surveillance by an activist CCRB attempting to find minor infractions” (“The Metropolis Council must assist NYC’s police,” op-ed). What’s the failed drug struggle in addition to police mercilessly concentrating on civilians for minor infractions? What of the hundreds of harmless stop-and-frisk victims focused by police? Was that not boundless surveillance? Lynch believes police ought to face none of what they dish out every day. I see no motive why authorities staff making six figures shouldn’t be topic to office surveillance like each different particular person with a job. Luke J. Cole

Bayside: Re “Finish systemic racism in housing” (op-ed, March 27) by Britny J. McKenzie: I’m undecided the place you reside, however I’ve been in northeast Queens for greater than 50 years and resulting from one-story homes being changed into three-story homes, the site visitors right here within the final 10 years has been horrific and quickly getting worse by the day. This space can not stand up to the quantity of housing close to the LIRR stations that you simply and the governor wish to add. Take into account that the vast majority of infrastructure has not been modified and is severely overburdened. I counsel you to go test with the person who rezoned the world a number of years again and also you’ll see he’s towards including new housing. Sadly, there may be simply no room left to deal with it! Karen Sabatini

Manhattan: As a part of her campaign to guard rich Manhattanites, Assemblywoman Deborah Glick is making an attempt to poison a state funds proposal aimed toward creating extra inexpensive housing. The problem at hand is Gov. Hochul’s proposal to elevate the dangerous, Sixties-era zoning regulation referred to as the ground space ratio cap, or FAR cap. In brief, it’s not about making buildings taller. Lifting the FAR cap will improve housing density, notably in components of Manhattan, so as to add extra of the residences New Yorkers want. Glick stated in The Information that she now needs to transform the governor’s plan by making it not possible to elevate the cap in all however a handful of circumstances. However what does that actually imply? Catering to prosperous NIMBYs who can’t settle for their justifiable share of recent housing, whereas telling outer-borough communities of shade to maintain preventing for scraps. Not a single lawmaker can purchase Glick’s pitch. John Sanchez, govt director, 5 Borough Housing Motion

Bronx: I’m simply writing to say that I get pleasure from the brand new sketch “Grand Avenue.” I like its delicate, folksy humor. I hope it has a future within the Every day Information. Edward Stapleton

Cortlandt Manor, N.Y.: This previous Saturday evening at Madison Sq. Backyard, the general public handle announcer invited all attendees who have been “keen and in a position” to face for the nationwide anthem. Keen? How about in case you are able-bodied, arise and be grateful you reside (for the second) in a free nation and salute the American flag? This nation is really the other way up. Michael P. Devine

Faculty Level: What’s the matter with you, Every day Information? Gridlock Sam was the most effective issues in your paper to be of assist to the individuals! What occurred? I miss him in your paper! Readers, write in your emotions! Joan Kraft

Mamaroneck, N.Y.: How do I’m going about making a take care of the IRS? Paul Matthews

Dobbs Ferry, N.Y.: The ex-president is on the sting of incitement. How dare he malign the workplace he as soon as held by his treasonable habits? Why is he given a cross? Any unusual citizen would most likely be arrested in the event that they uttered the identical phrases. Additionally, inform him to cease dying his hair! He appears to be like ridiculous. Age ought to deliver data and present dignity however Trump solely reveals his unbelievably large ego and want to be a dictator. Renee Keane

Manhattan: It’s abundantly clear, for a few years now, that t’Rump is an evil man. He has lied and cheated his whole life. He has denigrated and tried very laborious to weaken the very foundations of our nice, still-evolving nation, together with a free press, our justice system, the rule of regulation, honest and authorized elections and our allies, whereas praising dictators and tyrants. He has insulted and demonized girls, minorities and fellow Individuals, i.e. Democrats (all 81 million of us), and no, the overwhelming majority of us usually are not far-left radicals. One more nasty lie, one in all — finally rely — 40,000! To his supporters, do you severely consider t’Rump is an ethical, sincere particular person? How has your soul and thoughts turn into so warped to assist such an individual, no matter your political views? He’s an enemy of every part good about America. He’s a shame on our flawed, sensible historical past. Jeff H. Woods

Manhattan: Voicer Arthur Hayek hit the nail on the pinnacle when he stated Trump is in his Norma Desmond section. That occurred to me after I considered a “Trump 2024″ Fb web page and realized virtually all of the accounts have been weird, fictitious, international names purporting to be abroad followers. One click on and it was straightforward to find out they have been nothing however trolling bots with hilarious, nonsensical, pigeon-English messages of affection for the previous president. It jogged my memory of Erich von Stroheim enjoying Max — the silent movie director-turned-butler in “Sundown Boulevard” — when he confesses he writes faux fan letters to Desmond to placate her. I can solely think about Trump’s eventual ending could be the identical as Norma’s. Sam Katz