What will it take for the U.S. to wake up? As a former member of the National Rifle Association, I am finding that the NRA may be the enemy. Pogo said we have found the enemy and it is us. There have to be some adults in this society who will take up the cause of gun legislation. Mayor David Coss, are you a member of Mayors Against Illegal Guns?

Ken Earle

Santa Fe

The U.S. Constitution guarantees citizens the “right to bear arms.” What did the signers have in mind? Muzzle-loading muskets. It was virtually impossible for the Founding Fathers to have imagined AK-47s and other weapons intended for only one purpose — to kill other people.

In the past few months, deranged persons have slaughtered innocent citizens at theaters, shopping malls and in schools. Could anyone possibly imagine that this was the scenario our Founding Fathers had in mind? I can’t even imagine that this is what the NRA has in mind. The sale of semi-automatic weapons (and their ammunition) to the general public must stop. A few deranged persons will always be with us. But semi-automatic weapons don’t have to be. Their sale to the general public should be stopped now and forever.

Bruce Merchant, M.D.

Santa Fe

A cell tower risk

Kudos to the Santa Fe Community College administration for rejecting the proposed AT&T cellphone tower on campus. Given the controversy regarding health issues of low level electromagnetic radiation (EMR) from cellphone towers, it is a good time to take prudent action. While Jim Garland (“Forget cell towers; promote sunscreen use,” Dec. 4) may decry a conservative approach, he fails to note that outside the United States, scientists from Europe to Indonesia are correlating cancer clusters with EMR from nearby cellphone towers.

St. John’s United Methodist Church failed to stop construction of a cell tower atop their church. Now their congregation, staff and preschool are all at elevated risk. Let’s recognize an opportunity to protect our children and their teachers at Gonzales Community School by stopping the proposed AT&T cell tower at Burger King. A meeting is scheduled at 6 p.m. Monday in the library of Gonzales Community School to discuss the tower.

George Kaschner

Santa Fe

Burning questions

Concerning the article, (“Organizers outline ideas for Friday Zozobra Burn,” Dec. 13): Without providing the actual revenues and costs associated with the burning of Zozobra for 2012, the Kiwanis are in no position to ask for public services from the people of Santa Fe. Indeed, a lucid financial report from the Kiwanis Club is needed before Mayor Coss and the City Council can fully support and make reasonable recommendations regarding this event. To ameliorate financial concerns, as well as keep ticket prices down, perhaps a top-notch grant and proposal professional should be hired by the Kiwanis Club to elicit donations from both the public and private sectors. I’m sure there are a few here locally. Out of curiosity, in 2012 what percentage of the total revenues from the Zozobra event went toward donations?

Richard Sanchez

Santa Fe