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Worried relatives wait for students in a Fred Meyer parking lot near Reynolds High School, where two people died from gunshots Tuesday morning, June 10.

(The Oregonian/Beth Nakamura)

By Melinda D. Ott, Argus Community Writer

Another day, another school shooting — and this time in our own backyard.

Sadly, I expect this will follow the same pattern: people are killed, followed by people fighting each other over guns.

After the tragic Sandy Hook shooting, I shared a picture on Facebook — one that many had posted — saying that I stand with President Obama on gun control. Within minutes, friends and family began their assault on my views. I was called naïve — after all, Hitler wanted to control guns (which a quick visit to Snopes will show is a belief that is completely false)—and misled and I'd better turn myself around. Yet, no one asked me how I defend "gun control."

Melinda D. Ott

Do I think guns should be banned? No. I know a number of gun owners who are incredibly responsible.

Do I think that stricter measures should be placed on purchasing and owning guns? Yes. I believe in thorough background checks and waiting periods. I believe that at least as much caution should go into selling someone a gun as goes into selling someone a car.

I believe ownership records for guns should be kept — just as we do for cars -- so that guns used in crimes can be traced. I believe that those carrying guns must also carry a license saying that they can do so and they should be prepared to present that license to authorities, just as drivers do.

At some point in our recent history, we seem to have decided that we can redefine the Constitution to fit our needs. When it comes to the 2nd Amendment, some people are quick to refer the second half, which says, "the right of the people to keep and bear Arms shall not be infringed." Yet, the first half of the amendment says, "A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state." The Founding Fathers clearly had a different view of "the right to bear arms" than we do in the 21st century.

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After the massacre at Sandy Hook in 2012, there was renewed energy around gun control. Unfortunately, the proponents of gun control have not yet learned they need to organize themselves like the NRA in order to fight the NRA, which quickly squashed efforts to address gun control. And the result? Since the Sandy Hook shooting — only a year and a half -- there have been 74 school shootings as of this morning, including the shooting in Troutdale. Add in other crimes and murders involving guns and I don't see how anyone can deny that we have a problem in this country.

I realize that there are other issues at play here — the most common cited being the state of mental health care in our country. Yes, that is a problem, a huge problem and one this nation needs to address. But it does not excuse our lack of any real gun control — they are two separate problems and, as much as the NRA tries, we cannot hide our gun problem behind our mental health problem.

I admit that this piece is a bit of a knee-jerk reaction on my part. I found out about the school shooting less than an hour ago. However, this is a topic that has been on my mind and heart for quite some time. My children are just old enough to start being able to go to school, and school should not be a battleground. We the people, not the NRA, need to realize that gun control needs to be tackled for the safety of all. Really, how much closer to home does this have to hit?

Melinda Ott is an escapee from the corporate world and now a stay-at-home-mom in Hillsboro who blogs in an attempt to hold onto her sanity.