Almost all the firearms used in these shootings were obtained, possessed and carried illegally by those who perpetrated the shootings. If, as is constantly claimed, we MUST DO SOMETHING to stop this violence, then why not ban African-American residents of the city from owning handguns?

The answer is that that is patently unfair and discriminatory. To judge an entire group as a problem and punish all members of that group, irrespective of their individual actions, is unconscionable.

Yet, it's deemed perfectly acceptable to discriminate against one particular group - gun owners.

Let's just tell the truth. The instant Mayor Nutter gets the right to pass gun laws for Philly, it will become a practical impossibility to own a handgun or any other weapon the city deems "inappropriate."

I've done nothing wrong, but my rights are to be removed step-by-step because others - entirely outside the law - are using guns feloniously. How is this any less outrageous a suggestion than that black people shouldn't be allowed to have guns?

J.F. Wolfington, Philadelphia

Wright's glass house

My white blood boils as I watch Rev. Wright denounce this "racist" country where he has enjoyed the American dream many of us can only envy. He's throwing stones from his new glass mansion few of us could ever afford.

Anthony Frascino

Cherry Hill

A positive view of youth

Thank you for showcasing four young adults from Ben Franklin High who rescued the man drowning in the Schuylkill. It was a refreshing moment to open the paper and not see a violent act. We need to show our youth that when you do good things, good things come back to you. Kudos.

Lois Yampolsky, Philadelphia

Justice is served

Thank you, Judge Jeffrey Minehart, a special thank you to Assistant District Attorney Mike Barry. You were awesome in seeing that justice was served, and thanks for all the hard work you did for our families.

Also, thank you to Detective Nate Williams, Police Officers Daniel Duffy and Mike Duffy and everyone else who helped in keeping a murderer behind bars for the rest of his life. Super job.

Lynn Thistlewood, Philadelphia

Fiber missing from our diet

Once again New York beats Philadelphia to the punch. Verizon FIOS has come to an agreement with New York and will be in every neighborhood by 2014. So, as soon as our politicians break free of the stranglehold Comcast has on our city (and sports teams), we can be free from their monopoly.

Keith Callan, Philadelphia

Pro-sports 'energy'

The Phillies have gone "green," buying 20 million kilowatt hours of renewable energy, while the Eagles, already green, at least in color, struggle to secure renewable energy, especially in the form of a quarterback.

Jim Acton, Collegeville