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Let's raise our voices together for change
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As a parent, a local hospital pediatrician and a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics, I have been shaken to the core by last week's Connecticut school shootings. I find myself struggling with myriad emotions as I juggle my various roles and responsibilities. As a mother, I am outraged and scared. I know that the current status of gun control is not acceptable. How can I feel confident sending my son to a school, even one with a camera and security system, knowing that a person with intent to kill could gain access to commit such murders?
As a pediatrician, I know that now is the time to act for change, to help promote not only the health and safety of our nation's children, but also the safety of those daily heroes who teach our children to become strong, productive adults. This was the second-deadliest shooting in our nation's history. This is not only a health issue but also a public safety issue.
As a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics, I realize that we must go beyond making Facebook or social media comments and raise our voices together to lobby our local and state representatives and senators to help support better regulation, bans on semi-automatic weapons and improved access to mental health treatment. All of these will be important in preventing such future massacres.
Everyone who feels strongly about these murders should take a stand now. Now is the time to take legitimate action and invoke the change that we all need.
EVELINA M. KRIEGER, M.D.
North Side
First Published December 20, 2012 12:00 am
