The episodes of violence in our community is obvioious. Gun control is not the answer. We need to control the culture of violence in this country. Children do not need to learn that "killing" is a game or a sport. Violent videos, movies and sports need to be controlled....not guns.

Gas companies can blast with rock-smashing power and 100’s of toxic chemicals directly under our water well and the lake where our children, grandchildren, friends, and family swim and fish, as we have done for decades. The property has been in our family for over 80 years and is a treasured place for family gatherings. Governor Cuomo will decide anytime now. The towns and communities of upstate NY have been engaged in a battle against fracking for more than four years. If the gas companies have their way, they can take our gas and pollute our land and water without our permission. Please support the Health Impact Assessment. It is a crucial step in stoping fracking. An unholy alliance between corporations and governments has led to secret laws and corporate taking of private property that have given gas companies free rein to exploit and destroy New York State land, air and water (with an exception for the NYC watershed.) Setting aside the federal Clean Air and Clean Water Acts for natural gas extraction by fracking and setting aside private property rights by means of NY’s “compulsory integration” law are just two of many ways that subjugate democratic rights solely to benefit the gas companies.

our culture of violence which is sweeping across this globe!

Nineteen mass shootings in five years--no action. The typical gun rights advocates respond in the same way--more guns are the answer, any gun control represents a violation of their 2nd amendment rights, do not politicize the tragedy, and then we're stuck again. I propose to change the debate. One's right to own a gun does not supercede other's rights to be protected from gun use and gun violence. Therefore, I propose national "Protection from Gun Violence" be presented throughout the country as a potential Amendment to the Constitution.

The tragedy in Connecticut may not be about gun control; this may be about dealing with mental health and illness issues. We need to call on local, state and federal government to work together to empower, support and enliven the mental health services in our communities. I still believe in the power of community, education and outreach. For a powerful perspective on this issue: http://anarchistsoccermom.blogspot.com/2012/12/thinking-unthinkable.html?m=1

We need to reduce Pentagon spending by 1/3 to reasonably address our national debt.

We've all heard the National Rifle Association's slogan that "Guns Don't Kill People, People Kill People." But after all the mass shootings deaths that America has suffered recently, even the N.R.A. must admit that while guns by themselves don't kill people, guns certainly make it easier for one person to kill an awful lot of other people very quickly. I experienced the helpless terror of someone threatened by a masked gunman with a semiautomatic weapon when one entered my place of employment in fall 2010. Fortunately, that young man chose not to kill anyone but himself, but I don't think that more guns would have helped the situation. If we'd all been armed and had all opened fire on the gunman, we probably would have just wounded or killed each other accidentally.

The 27 murders by semi-automatic pistols in CT dramatize, once again, the need to ban assault weapons. Every US citizen is at risk of being murdered in public by a madman using such weapons. You, I or anyone could be next.

Flip on the news and watch how we treat the Batman theater shooter and the Oregon mall shooter like celebrities. We are all too aware of the name Adam Lanza. Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris are household names, but do you know the name of a single victim of Columbine? The quest for fame is often at least some of the impetus for committing atrocities. If the mass media stops publicizing the criminals and instead makes the names of the heroes and victims known, that will give at least one sick person pause. Let's call upon the media to make it their responsibility to make it less glamorous to be a monster and more glamourous to be a hero. TV networks and newspapers and all other media outlets- please take it upon yourselves to take away power from monsters. If need be, let's legislate this social contract. Stop glorifying monsters now. Stop showering our screens and print media with the names and faces of the monsters and instead those of the heroes and victims.

The problem with "fantasy petitions" such as the recent one "Gun Control. Now." by Staci S. (and other similar ones) and realistic proposals if concerned individuals - and their legislators - truly wish to take positive action.

Addressing the gaming software industry and their contribution to the senseless violent gun deaths of innocent people. While I have not been directly affected it bothers me that our son, like most people, does not accept the emotional numbing affect of the numerous "games" with violent killing by gunfire.

gun control and banning arsenal weapons