JIM DAVISON, Waitsburg

The recent article, "Urban advocates say new gun control talk overdue," by Jesse Washington of The Associated Press, referred to gun violence in Chicago. He quoted Tammerlin Drummond, a columnist for the Oakland Tribune who wrote "about 7-year-old Heaven Sutton of Chicago, who was standing next to her mother selling candy when she was killed in the crossfire of a gang shootout," and about two other young people killed by apparent gang-related gunfire.

How could this possibly have happened in Chicago, which had among the most restrictive gun laws in the country for its citizens, even while the mayor had armed guards?

In addition, Connecticut, according to the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, ranked No. 5 on its safe state scorecard -- even higher than Illinois.

If strict gun laws alone were the key to preventing gun violence, the recent tragedy in Newtown, Conn., and others, such as those referenced above in Chicago, should not have happened.

It is hoped that other factors recently brought up (access to mental health, reporting suspicious behavior and violent influences in popular culture) will continue to be discussed, allowing for possible solutions/remedies to save lives.