In response to the tragic events at Marysville Pilchuck High School, I urge all gun owners to take a moment and think about your responsibility as a gun owner. Just as you have the right to own or possess a gun, you have a duty to see that it is safely secured from curious toddlers or troubled teenagers. How many completely innocent victims does it take before we wake up and do something to help prevent needless deaths?

Those who own guns need to keep guns out of the hands of kids. Not because of any law that might require them to do so, rather because it is the responsible thing to do. I applaud the Marysville and Tulalip communities for coming together in both civic and religious forums, but I fear that unless those with guns modify their behavior, we read over and over about needless deaths. And when that occurs, we will once again hold more vigils, place more flowers on fences and say more prayers. Actions do speak louder than words, and it is time to change. Not tomorrow or the next day, but starting now. That, my friends, would be a true tribute to these young innocent victims.

Ronald Castleberry

Mukilteo