ROBERT BATTERTON, Benton City

I guess one's age or possibly politics determines who is responsible for things that have happened in the past.

Now the debate is turning to gun control. I have always thought mental health facilities would be a better answer to slowing the latest cases of gun violence. A recent letter to the editor blamed the Democrats for closing all of the mental health facilities in the '60s and '70s. Maybe I was too busy trying to feed a family of five and making it a family of six to pay much attention, but my recollection puts the blame on Reagan in the '80s.

Whoever is to blame, I think better treatment and aftercare for the mentally ill should be handled before any gun legislation is considered. I do not object to a ban on assault-style rifles and excessively sized ammunition clips. If you're too lazy to reload after five or seven shots, you need a new, easier hobby.