To the Editor:

There is an ad posted on Donald Trump’s campaign website and YouTube page. It states that if the Democrats are soft on illegal immigration, then they would have blood on their hands by being “complicit in every murder committed by illegal immigrants.” Let’s not worry right now about whether Democrats are soft on illegal immigration, that is fodder for another letter. Let’s focus instead on the claim of complicity.

In December 2012, Adam Lanza shot and killed 28 innocent people, including 20 children.  President Obama begged Congress to act by passing common-sense gun control. Congress did nothing. More shootings, more nothing. 

In December 2016, under President Obama, the Social Security Administration issued a rule that stepped up its efforts to pass the names of people who lack the mental capacity to “manage his or her own affairs” to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System. This action would prevent an individual who is in this system from legally purchasing a weapon. President Trump and Congress rescinded that rule on the grounds that it was overly broad.

When Stephen Paddock killed 58 people and injured almost 500 in Las Vegas in October 2017, the Trump administration declined to discuss the issue in the immediate aftermath of the shooting, stating that “it would be premature for us to discuss (gun) policy.” It has been four months and still no discussion. 

Who exactly has “blood on their hands?”

Sandra Leafe

Waynesville