As I read the tweets by our U.S. representatives (“horrified,” “horrific,” “heartbroken”) about the latest school shooting, I can only shake my head, mourn the dead, and brace for the next senseless act of national insanity.

I’m not going to lower myself to platitudes and symbolism, as is being done with macabre regularity now. This sickness is being aided and abetted by those in power who are putting their jobs over the welfare of the people – most importantly, our children.

The calls for more laws are empty platitudes that will only ensure more carnage. Anyway, there will be no meaningful laws regulating firearms in this country while organizations like the NRA run the show.

No, what I am suggesting is a radical change to a severely outdated part of the U.S. Constitution – the 2nd Amendment. This document may have had a place 227 years ago, but it is outdated and vague, with tragic results. If this anachronistic document is allowed to remain, more mass killings are assured.

I call on all representatives and candidates, at all levels, to pledge to protect the American people by either supporting to change the 2nd Amendment or repeal it entirely. The Constitution provides that an amendment may be proposed either by the Congress with a two-thirds majority vote in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, or by a constitutional convention called for by two-thirds of the State legislatures.

Political “realities” and excuses about hunting and rights don’t interest me anymore. We have a situation that is killing us and our children and nothing short of radical courage will change the equation.

As such, I will put amending or repealing the 2nd Amendment at the top of my priorities when voting for any candidate in Maine or in Washington.

Ted Markow
Brunswick