DEAR EDITOR:

I think it’s high time that we, the American people and the Justice Department, started taking a closer look at these young 12- to 16-year-old shooters who think, because of their age, they have a golden parachute against punishment.

More and more, school shootings, drive-by shootings and random acts of extreme violence by young shooters are becoming more prevalent every day.

Have we, as parents, failed our children? Or could it be the school system? Many of our basic values have been removed from our schools — Pledge of Allegiance, reading of a prayer in the morning and the respect of the national anthem. Home life also has collapsed and children spend too much time on social media.

Do we need stricter penalties for these young shooters? In cases of mass shootings in schools or at public events, should the death penalty be used? Society must get its act together and come up with a solution before we lose control totally. We are all in this together.

JIM EIDEL

Beaver Townsh