Forgetful gun owners should face consequences

Re: “Record 6,542 guns intercepted at security in 2022,” Feb. 21 news story

I find myself in agreement with Aidan Johnston of Gun Owners of America. Fines don’t seem to be a deterrent to the problem.

If a person can’t remember whether or not they are carrying a loaded firearm, they have demonstrated that they are not a responsible owner of that firearm and should forfeit the right to own it.

Forget the fines. Make it a felony to attempt to bring a firearm on a plane. Convicted felons can’t own firearms and, therefore, can’t attempt to smuggle them onto airplanes.

Steve Caplan, Durango

Applauding a “ground-breaking” collaboration

Re: “RZA leads ballet with Colorado Symphony,” Feb. 16 features story

After reading about the collaboration of RZA (from the Wu-Tang Clan) with the Colorado Symphony, my husband, a few friends and I purchased tickets to this world premiere event at Boettcher Concert Hall.

This show was amazing; a true mash-up of the extreme talent of our symphony artists with the creative genius of a 1990s rap icon. Saturday’s performance was an almost sell-out crowd, and it was wonderful to be a part of such a diverse audience. This is the type of ground-breaking programming that will keep our Symphony well-attended and Denver a world-class city.

Joanna Johnson, Denver

Addiction treatment realities not the real danger to children

Re: “City creating a drug recovery house but it won’t say where,” Feb. 22 news story

Emily Reynolds has a right to be concerned about kids and drugs. I believe that educating kids about drug use needs to be introduced at an early age; hiding it doesn’t make it go away. I believe that people in a rehab situation are there because they want to kick their addiction which is a good lesson for kids to see about taking control and changing their own lives.

This begs the question: Where was the concern about exposing kids to drugs when marijuana was legalized in Colorado? The supposed warning labels on edible products do not deter the kids from eating grandparents’ or parents’ stash, even taking them to school for friends. Many news articles are reporting the increase in pediatric emergency visits connected to the accidental ingestion of these drugs.

So let’s not hide this but give people who want to be clean a chance to be self-sufficient members of society within our community.

Teri Jacobson, Boulder

Terrorizing our students

Re: “More than a dozen schools receive unfounded threats,” Feb. 23 news story

As a former educator, I am sickened by the level of meanness that it would take to be “entertained” by the thought of terrifying thousands of high school students by pretending to shoot up their schools. Kids are already afraid, and after the dysfunction of the COVID years, a school should be a sanctuary. I have no idea of what possible charges could be brought against these sick people, but if anyone knows of anyone doing this, please, for the sake of the mental health of our kids, report them.

Susan Rediske, Centennial