Letters to the Editor | Sept. 23, 2022

In response to Kyle Sammin’s op-ed on District Attorney Larry Krasner, it would be wise to counter his argument that Krasner is responsible for the crime in Philadelphia. If the legislators in Harrisburg were serious about lowering the crime rates in Philadelphia, they would strengthen and improve our weak gun laws. According to CeaseFirePA, there is no waiting period for guns. There is no requirement for a license or permit to purchase. People aren’t required to undergo training before or after purchasing a firearm. Anyone 18 and up can purchase a long gun (rifle, shotgun, semiautomatic rifle). The minimum age to purchase a handgun is 21. Worst of all, there is no limit on the number of guns someone can purchase at a time.

If the lawmakers in Harrisburg want to reduce crime, they must stiffen our lax gun laws, otherwise, they are the ones guilty of dereliction of duties for public safety.

Deidre Selig, Newtown Square

Every year as the last Sunday in September approaches, I stop and reflect on mothers in our country who have lost a son or daughter while serving in the military. The mothers are known as gold star mothers. Their loss may have occurred in war or in peacetime anywhere in the world.

These mothers are an essential thread woven into the fabric of our country’s history. They survived their darkest hour with courage. They inspire me. They are women of all colors, cultures, and backgrounds.

These women have given back to our country in ways many have seldom seen. They do so because they love America. They honor their fallen children. They know what they stand for when the flag flies.

Linda Jenkin, Clarence, N.Y.

I have never seen the test required of prospective Pennsylvania teachers, nor seen the teaching ability of teachers who had trouble passing the test. However, the notion that a test of reading and math for a public school teacher lacks validity and is merely an impediment to an otherwise competent student who is learning how to teach is troubling. I agree with the current trend toward reducing pointless academic requirements for a job so long as the potential worker has the skills, but the potential worker should have the skills. Perhaps we should evaluate the competence of schools that are training new teachers and their procedures for accepting students. More generally, meaningless impediments to entry to a field should not be tolerated just because there is a surplus of candidates for a position; on the other hand, meaningful entry barriers to a field should not be waived just because there is a scarcity of candidates for a position.

Mark Homer, Townsend, Tenn.

Kudos to The Inquirer’s layout and graphics executives for attempting to come up with a better format for enjoying the print version of the paper. Sadly, it’s a big swing and a miss, especially for the many readers of a mature age who don’t appreciate the smaller font. The tiny type is reader unfriendly. Let’s go back to the previous font, folks. Please?

Fred P. Gusoff, Philadelphia

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