The root problem with mass shootings is not the guns, it is the hate. When a person is consumed with hate, he or she becomes incapable of feeling any empathy for other people. It is the lack of empathy that promotes mass shootings.

The Republican Party, especially the MAGA wing, unfortunately, has developed a party platform that is based upon hate. Hate of immigrants, people of diversity and anyone with views different than their own. Along with this hate comes the resultant lack of empathy for these same groups. If owners of an AR-15 assault rifle observed what such a bullet does to a human body, if they had any empathy at all, they would not continue to own such a weapon of war.

The opposite of hate is love of all people, the root philosophy of most religions of the world. With love comes empathy. Empathy for all people – immigrants, people of diversity, everyone. Mass shootings would not be committed by people who are filled with love and empathy.

Think of what you can do in your own life to promote love of others, not hate.

John Redemske

Durango