California forum letters: Bee readers respond to downtown shooting, wildfire preparation

Confiscate guns

“Sacramento mayor wants Gavin Newsom to spend $3 billion on crime prevention after mass shooting,” (sacbee.com, April 6)

After a horrific incident, California politicians are rushing to write more gun control bills and throw billions of dollars at fixing poverty – all worthy objectives if administered better than our Employment Development Department has done. Unmentioned so far is a chronically underfunded program to remove guns from the homes of people who should not have them, including felons and those under a restraining order. Our Department of Justice knows of thousands of such cases, but no one seems to have the power or money to search homes and confiscate these weapons. Judges approve restraining orders but don’t send the police to get the guns, and there aren’t enough parole officers to do the needed searches. Funding these confiscations would be a great start.

James Peck

Modesto

Overcome resistance

“6 killed, 12 hurt in Sacramento shooting; police find gun, search for ‘multiple shooters’” (sacbee.com, April 4)

Here we go again. Again we declare that “enough is enough”; politicians share “thoughts and prayers”; and pro-gun people claim that “guns don’t kill people, people kill people.” The reality, however, is that guns do kill people; without guns and ammunition, no one gets shot. Once only militias were provided permission to be well-armed. In recent times, thanks to pro-gun groups, the supporting amendment was expanded to include almost anyone. Thanks to the proliferation of guns, there is easy access to firearms. Yes, there’s far too many guns out there, and the problem gets worse with ghost guns. We must overcome resistance to gun control and reform to restore a sane society.

Alvin Vopata

Antelope

No change

“6 killed, 12 hurt in Sacramento shooting; police find gun, search for ‘multiple shooters’” (sacbee.com, April 4)

The shootings happened near a strip of nightclubs; alcohol and guns are a recipe for gun violence. But unfortunately, gun violence has become as American as baseball, hot dogs and apple pie. I fear that after all the sound and fury is over, the cycle of killings, hand wringing and mourning will continue ad infinitum.

Ralph E. Stone

San Francisco

Double standard

“Ukrainian refugees are en route to Sacramento. Here’s how you can help locally,” (sacbee.com, April 2)

It is commendable to organize a ‘fun run’ to raise money to send to those in need in Ukraine. But how quickly we forget the millions we left behind in Afghanistan only nine months ago. Our sudden withdrawal left millions to face a wickedly cold winter with dwindling supplies, and with some in starvation. Ukrainians are important, but how can we so easily forget about those left behind around the world? Where is the fun run for Afghanistan, Libya, Syria or Venezuela? Meanwhile, in our own country, an estimated three million children go to bed hungry each day. Feel empathy and concern for those in Ukraine by donating directly to your local charitable groups. It will make a difference.

Dennis Price

Pine Grove

Essential tool

“Northern California could face dire wildfire danger in 2022. How high is the risk?” (sacbee.com, April 4)

This morning’s sobering 2022 wildfire forecast failed to mention that livestock grazing – using sheep and goats – is a critical fuel-load reduction tool, especially in the wildland-urban interface. This kind of “targeted” grazing allows communities to reduce annual fuel-loads on landscapes where prescribed fire isn’t an option. A recent survey conducted by the California Wool Growers Association estimated that more than 75,000 acres were treated using sheep and goats in 2020. Unfortunately, a new interpretation of wage rules by the Newsom administration is arbitrarily removing this tool. Under these new rules, employees of goat grazing businesses must be paid over $14,000/month – a 400% increase. At a time when we need to expand our capacity for grazing, California is driving these companies out of business.

Dan Macon

Auburn

Firefighter fix

“Northern California could face dire wildfire danger in 2022. How high is the risk?” (sacbee.com, April 4)

Federal wildland firefighters continue to earn less than minimum wage in California as they are misclassified as “forestry technicians.” Many federal wildland firefighter jobs remain unfilled. The risk of fire in California continues to grow every year, and the supply of wildland firefighters remains inadequate. H.R. 5631, The Tim Hart Wildland Firefighter Classification and Pay Parity Act, would fix this problem, but it remains stuck in Congress, despite wide bipartisan support. Congress needs to pass this important legislation now to help reduce the risk of fire in the 2022 fire season.

David Lerman

Berkeley

Group effort

“Baby boomers need to fight climate change, too. And in Sacramento, some of them are,” (sacbee.com, March 27)

Today, most US citizens are in favor of seriously addressing the climate crisis. However, for the last 20 years, the wealth of the fossil fuel industry has rendered our once proud democracy impotent on this crucial issue. Consequently, the future livability of our planet is in peril. Third Act founder Bill McKibbon has proposed a plan in the spirit of democracy and American ingenuity. Our biggest banks provide financing for the fossil fuel industry, but we can convince them to divest if, in mass, we pledge to move our savings and credit cards to institutions that do not contribute to the climate crisis. Individually we can do little; but together we can renew hope for the future. For more information contact ThirdActSac@gmail.com

Margaret Loehr

Sacramento