Despite growing up and marrying into gun families, I never really gave a hoot about rifles or pistols. However, I have always respected their use whether it be Sunday afternoon target shooting, seasonal deer and turkey hunting or ridding four-legged varmints closing in on our chickens. Even with that background, I never remember hearing of an individual owning an assault weapon until the Sandy Hook slaughter, Dec. 12, 2012.

Meanwhile, as six adults and 20 little bodies lie in their graves, more states have joined Connecticut in the destruction of young lives. As of December, 2022, the list included New Mexico, California, Missouri, Kentucky, Washington, Michigan, Texas, and Florida. And yet, in the year 2023, Illinois still has 30 sheriffs refusing to enforce legislation signed by Gov. Pritzker banning assault weapons and the sale of high-capacity magazines.

So, I ask myself, was it wrong for my parents to teach me that a human life is worth more than 30 pieces of silver?
— Ruth Rademaker is a retired librarian who was Head of Volunteer Blind Division
at Library of Congress and worked in libraries of public schools for 22 years. She lives in Peoria.