THE EDITOR’S VIEW: “We need more gun control”

Just more than a month after the horrific shooting at the Sandy Hook Elementary School that left 20 children and six adults dead, Jan. 16 President Barack Obama and his administration revealed new gun control proposals sparking a national debate.
In an incident that occurred six days after the president’s gun control announcement that supports his proposals, a fight between two people at a Texas community college left a maintenance man shot in the leg and wounded.
In the president’s proposals to Congress, there would be more detailed background check protocols for all gun sales and the banning of military-style assault weapons, high-capacity ammunition and armor-piercing bullets.  There would also be more funding for additional police officers, first responder training, mental health programs and school emergency plans.
How can a person have a problem with any of these proposals?  Obama did not say he wanted to get rid of the Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms.  His proposals, if passed, would better protect those who live in our country. Obama said these proposals are common sense measures that have the support of the majority of the American people.
In a recent CNN/Time Magazine/ORC International poll about 55 percent of Americans generally favor stricter gun control laws, with 56 percent saying that it’s too easy to buy guns.
Background checks should be included for all gun sales including private sellers .  
The National Rifle Association disagrees with Obama’s proposals.  The group responded to the president’s proposals in ad calling him a “hypocrite” and pointed out that his children attend a school that has armed guards.  
This ad is misleading for the fact that Obama’s children are entitled to have Secret Service Protection (like every other presidents’ families).
Obama shouldn’t be labeled as an hypocrite when one of his proposals is to add more police officers to the streets to patrol our schools and communities to better protect us all.
It is estimated that more than 900 Americans have died due to gun violence since the tragic shooting spree at Sandy Hook Elementary School in December.  This should motivate the government and organizations such as the NRA to work together.
There should be no filibusters by the Senate when it comes to these proposals, especially when they potentially can stop some
of the violence connected to firearms.
    Obama’s gun control ideas are a step in the right direction.