Letter to the editor

To the Editor,
 
In a 2007 Harvard University study, it was stated that, “…where there are more guns, there are more suicides.
The higher suicide rates result from higher firearm suicides…”  The statistics on gun deaths in our country are disturbing. 
For young people, gun homicides and gun suicides are the second and third biggest causes of deaths. 
We need relevant information on the dangers of guns and then we should take action.
The tragic murder/suicide at Sandy Hook Elementary may have brought attention to matter of gun violence, but the ensuing discussion has largely ignored the facts about gun deaths. 
The most likely person to be killed by a gun is its owner, and the next most likely person is a family member. 
This may help explain the surge in popularity of voluntary gun buyback programs.
Earlier this month the city of College Park, Ga., held a gun buyback event. 
Citizens were paid $100-$150 for their firearms.  These guns will be destroyed, forever removing their risk of misuse from the community.  
I hope students will petition the Macon city council to emulate the College Park gun buyback program.
 
Take care,
Don McAdam
6422 Vernon Woods Dr.
Sandy Springs, GA  30328