Owning an assault rifle is more important a child’s life? Ridiculous!

To The Daily Sun,

First of all, I am encouraged by all of the students, teachers, and parents, who have taken a stand against GUN VIOLENCE. To them: You are brave and courageous! I commend your action to take 17 minutes of silence to show the nation that something has to change — regardless of school authorization or not.

Secondly, in Friday's paper (March 16), a resident of Tilton wrote an outrageous, trigger-intended rant about "Schools would be better off separated by race and gender." My advice is that this person is just one drop in the ignorant bucket of fear and hate mongering that prevails in New Hampshire. Donald Dump, the alt-right mouthpiece, is just another reason for these people to crawl out of their holes and squawk about their racist views; don't listen to them. For all of you who think you are better because of you're white, I feel sorry for you; you are consumed with prejudice and terror — this was taught and learned — but don't worry, you can pull yourself out of that stench. Ignore the bigotry and conservative drivel from those unwilling to be enlightened.

I am an active member of the The Southern Poverty Law Center. It tracks hate groups through their organization. Since Columbine, 7,000 lives have been taken due to GUN VIOLENCE. INSANITY. Currently, there are 892 active hate groups in the United States and there are chapters in N.H. — KU KLUX KLAN, white nationalist, anti LGBT, and NEO NAZIS. Yes, your neighbor is a practicing racist,

Fighting hate should be number one on your list of "things to do." Become a member of the SPLC, receive informative, factual, statistical, information (not Fox Fake News and the racist views in The Laconia Daily Sun) to understand what is going on around you. White supremacy is alive and well in this — and unless you get involved, it will trickle down to the next vulnerable generation. Like our resident in Tilton, these people are angry and energized by the election of Donald Dumpfh. They are emboldened by this presidency and will communicate anonymously through the web and spew hate and bigotry through media, friends, family, and yeah, let's give them an AK assault rifle, so they can pull a Dylan Roof. Insanity is the only word that can describe our current situation. Radicalized online, on campus, and even through this very newspaper, they will try to feed on the fears of your insecurities.

But wait, there is hope, there is YOU! Do not give these racist, womanizing, fear ridden individuals a platform. Printing their racist rants only empowers them and brings attention to their twisted ideals. Here is a list of things you can do to start wiping out the hate and extremism in your town:

1. ACT — do something, APATHY is acceptance.

2. Unite, organize, and create a diverse coalition against intolerance.

3. Support victims of abuse; let them know you are there to support them.

4. Join the SPLC, and other organizations that track hate.

5. Create an an alternative — do not attend a hate rally, hold a UNITY Rally instead.

6. MOST IMPORTANT — SPEAK UP! Take hate by the horns, and expose it — denounce it!

7. Lobby political leaders (Sen. Maggie Hassan 202-224-3324, Sen. Jeanne Shaheen 202-224-2841 , Annie Kuster 202-225-5206, Carol Shea Porter 202-225-5456) VOTE OUT THE HATE!

If we continue to look the other way (apathy) we accept and allow. Racism and mysoginy will continue to fester in N.H. — break the chain. Together, we can heal New Hampshire and the misguided people who feel marginalized, filling themselves with hate towards others who are unlike themselves — scapegoats. Classic examples include immigrants and Muslims.

The NRA is a fear mongering and corrupt organization. It preys on the public, encouraging them to BUY GUNS as a solution. The NRA goes unchallenged, with deep pockets; it pits you against the government —rationalizing that with a gun, you can feel safer. I ask you, will a gun protect you from extremist views, the internet, propaganda and bullying? Nobody wants to take your damn gun, but we do want protective legislation: 1. Stricter background checks, 2. A ban on assault rifles; these weapons were designed for the military. Why on earth do you, as a private citizen, need to own one? Are you planning to take on the police, military, or your neighbor with your secret militia? Ridiculous. An assault rifle, an AK, is more important than a child's life, a teacher's life, a parishioner's life, a movie-goer's life? You are morally corrupt to place such importance on a weapon — brainwashed by the NRA. Sad and scary. You, the AK enthusiast, should be placed on a watchlist.

Millennials, parents and teachers will be marching this weekend. A voice for common-sense gun legislation. I applaud you, you will BE the change this town, this nation, this world needs. Keep it up, you are heroes!

Jennifer Abbott

Sanbornton