The Jan. 2 front-page headline on responses to gun violence was simply irresponsible. For years, I have found your headlines reaching for any kind of pun-like twist to be almost invariably silly or foolish, at best, and all too frequently witlessly diverting readers from the point of the journalism that follows.
Last Saturday’s headline characterizing the president as having “gun rules in his sights” takes the urge for silliness well beyond appropriate limits. Should any reader – Second Amendment absolutist or any other – feel anything but uncomfortable, and unfairly targeted, being in anyone’s gun sights? This stupid effort at a gag can only strengthen already-divisive emotions about guns and gun violence in this country.
Recent mass killings in classrooms, theaters, places of worship and on the streets leave everyone with a sense of vulnerability. That has bred a growing public sentiment that something needs to be done. Your inane headline not only elevates gimmickry over substance, but also hampers sensible discourse and policymaking to reduce gun violence.
Please, get a grip! Write headlines to be consistent with your journalistic purpose.
Greg Sample
Cumberland
Send questions/comments to the editors.
