The tragedy that has befallen Newtown, Conn., stuns and grieves us immensely. The carnage created by one sick mind has killed beautiful young children and six adults.

Our history of gun-toting sheriffs and criminals has been part of our culture and long been admired. The town of Tombstone, Ariz., has shows of gunfights even today. Bonnie and Clyde and Dillinger were glorified in movies. A billion-dollar film industry has developed around gun shoot-outs and killing. The influence went as far as Norway, where murder occurred. That this has some influence on young minds is debated and disputed.

Politicians debate the pros and cons of the availability of sophisticated weapons of murder. We, as citizens and voters, must take a stand on these issues and hopefully teach future generations to eliminate hate, violence and prejudice.

Allen Kupfer

Bluffton