Rep. Jim Lucas offered selective statistics as provided by the NRA to support his conclusion that more gun laws won't slow the epidemic of gun violence in this country.

The U.S. has the most firearms per capita in the world, yet compared to those in the same age groups in other wealthy countries, Americans age 15 to 24 are 49 times more likely to be the victim of a gun-related murder. For those age 25 to 34, that number is 32 times more likely. Indianapolis is now one of the top 10 murder capitals in the nation. Yet, incredibly, Lucas thinks still more guns are the answer as he has sponsored bills that would get rid of Indiana’s licensing requirement to carry a handgun and allow guns at public universities and state office buildings.

Recent polling suggests the public is tired of continued gun massacres, with 92 percent saying they wanted expanded background checks, 87 percent supporting a ban for felons or people with mental health problems and 85 percent saying they would ban people on federal watch lists from buying guns.

Lucas apparently does not care much what the public demands. If the next gun massacre occurs here, are we going to chastise ourselves that we did not do more to prevent this tragedy? It is past time that we not return to office those who refuse to respond to the will of the people and do something to stop the carnage.

Denny Kubal

Nashville