To the Editor:

Mr. Shirtz and I rarely agree on anything but his recent NCN letter criticizing the ammo tax included a truism which I wholeheartedly believe is correct: “Violence comes from within the person, not the instrument itself”. That explains the visible rise in hate crimes, rage spewing outbursts and extremist militia activity which erupted and continues among the MAGA crowd.

Former President Trump wasn’t the cause. He was simply the empowering release valve encouraging those with a brash, rude and bullying mentality. Someone who harbors interior violence gets a rush from exacting revenge, berating and hurting others. Trump’s example was a rallying call for every person who wanted to feel that their anger at the world was justified and they need never apologize for their harmful actions.

Of course, The Proud Boys loved “grab ‘em by the p***y” Trump because the group professes its pride in being macho and dominating women. (Members must undergo and survive a violent hazing ritual to prove how tough they are.) The Oath Keepers loved Trump because he approved of their organized and weapon-carrying clandestine activities. Just look closely at the faces of those who stormed the Capitol and you will see the glint of glee in the eyes of those unleashing their desire for violence and mayhem.

The FBI is investigating record numbers of potential domestic terrorists. Hate crimes against non-whites and non-Christians have tripled. Anger erupts on airplanes, on Facebook, in grocery stores and restaurants among those who no longer feel they need to temper their inner violence.

Trump lit the torch of ill-will, mean-spiritedness and macho behavior which already existed and only needed a match to fire it. The interior emotional landscape of those enamored with Trump’s off-the-cuff, break-the-rules aggression is much different than that of those drawn to President Biden’s compassion and gentlemanly demeanor. And that, Mr. Shirtz, is exactly why gun laws and safety precautions are necessary to protect the innocent.

Martha Hodges
Massena