Last week we heard about the vice-president's recommendations for reducing gun violence. These include closing background check loopholes, banning military-style assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, making schools safer and increasing access to mental health services. Just common sense, small steps to keep our children safer from gun violence.

None of these recommendations for regulation of guns would affect the rights or activities of responsible sport hunters and target shooters, rural folks who need to control (four-legged) varmints, or those who feel they need reasonable self-defense in their homes. However, the recommendations, if made law, could affect the profits of the gun industry, which is why I believe the gun lobby opposes them.

We would not allow our children to be bullied on the playground - why do we allow the gun industry to bully us into submission so that they can protect their profits? We don't need guns to fight guns. We don't need millions of dollars to fight the lobbyists in our legislatures. It is time for us to speak up. Join me in telling our senators and representatives in D.C. that we support these sensible steps towards stronger gun regulation. And tell our state legislators that we need action in Olympia now to improve Washington state's loose gun permitting laws.

Heather Brown

Lynden