The recent incident at Walmart in Hayden was a tragedy, and our hearts go out to the family, especially to a 2-year-old boy who in innocently pulling the trigger that took his mother also wounded his own chances in life.

The characterization of the circumstances surrounding this incident as “responsible gun ownership” is an unfortunate addition to the tragedy. It stands as testimony to a subculture of fear and mistrust that has permeated some of our citizens and has found its mark in Idaho. A young mother packing a loaded 9mm semi-automatic weapon with the safety off in a purse in an unattended grocery cart occupied by a 2-year-old in the middle of a crowded store would be a cautionary example of irresponsible gun ownership in any legitimate training environment.

The blood of this incident is on the hands of our legislature and the people who put them there. When you promote fear and mistrust at all levels while also promoting the gun as the answer you are creating an atmosphere and an environment where incidents like this are inevitable. And while we may think they are inevitable in any environment, they are more likely in the legislative environment we have created in Idaho.

Our notions about what constitutes individual liberty need some work.

STEPHEN D. BRUNO

Coeur d’Alene