I love my country. It’s where I was born and raised. But when did it change? When did your Second Amendment rights become more important than my right to be safe when I leave my home? Why do you think your right to own a long gun is more important than children in school?

When did going to a parade, concert, hospital, church, bar, BBQ, shopping or a party mean we, who don’t want to own or even like these weapons, have to take our lives into our own hands every time we leave our homes?

Why are we expected to own a weapon to defend ourselves against people who think it’s their right to have them?

It isn’t all a mental health issue. Some of it is just hate.

I just don’t understand what has happened to this country. I love my country, but I hate what it’s become. I hate not feeling safe when I leave the confines of my home. I hate that your rights are now controlling my life.

I hate this.

Nancy Roberge

Winthrop