Some of the things that David Jasphy said in his recent letter are true. (“Guns in the Jewish Community,” September 12, 2024). But we now live in a world that has become more and more antisemitic, thanks in part to the media and the current administration in Washington. Their rhetoric spews misinformation and goads terrorists to act against Jews in colleges and in neighborhoods. Thank God for the ads that help to find weapons and how to use them should we, God forbid, need to defend ourselves and our families.

The recent school shooting in Georgia happened because Colin Gray, the father of Colt Gray, allegedly gave his son a rifle as a holiday present even though the father and son had been interviewed by the FBI regarding online threats allegedly made by Colt to the school. The teen’s mother, Marcee Gray, even tried to warn the school about her son, but either the warning was not acted upon quick enough or the warning came too late.

Guns are not the problem if handled and stored properly. The problem in school shootings stems from parental interaction with their children that is not strong enough or that is inappropriate.

We as a Jewish community need to be able to properly defend ourselves. I had written an article years ago to the Times that we need metal detectors in our schools and malls. The answer was that it is too expensive. Imagine giving billions of dollars to other countries, but there isn’t enough money for metal detectors to protect our children.

Miriam Fiber

Teaneck