Morin’s blood is on Biden’s hands

Blood is on the hands of President Joe Biden in the death of Rachel Morin (“Rachel Morin killing intensifies immigration debate among Maryland federal lawmakers,” June 19).

If it wasn’t for Biden’s southern border policy, Morin, 37, a Harford County mother of five, would still be alive and her own mother would not be grieving as she is. As the accused murderer is an unvetted immigrant already accused of murder in his native El Salvador, there is no way he should have been allowed into this country. But not in Biden’s eyes: All are welcome, huh?

Go ahead, hate former President Donald Trump all you want, but our border was under control while he was in office. Remember the mocking laughter when he began building the wall? Still laughing? Morin’s family isn’t laughing.

Biden undid Trump’s border policies the day after he took office. Morin’s murder is a direct result of Biden’s actions. The Baltimore Sun should ask candidates running for federal office from Maryland which border policy they support.

Name me one other country with a border policy like ours. Why is our border open? Elections matter.

— Bernard Haske, Catonsville

Is there an unlocked gun where my child plays?

Last February, a 4-year old girl in Lansdowne accidentally shot herself after getting her hands on an unsecured firearm. Every day across America, an average of eight children and teens are unintentionally injured or killed due to an unlocked or unsupervised gun. While many children fear the threat of a school shooting, as more children are on summer vacation and spending more time at home, a gun in the home becomes the greatest threat (“A pediatrician’s perspective on gun violence,” Jan. 26).

According to an analysis by Brady, the nation’s oldest gun violence prevention organization, half of the weeks in the year with the most unintentional shootings by children occurred during summer.

As kids stay home from school for the summer, now is the time when Americans must take action to protect our kids. Friday, June 21 is “Asking Saves Kids” (ASK) Day. By commemorating ASK Day, we prioritize our children’s lives and safety by urging all parents and caretakers to ask if there are unlocked guns where children play or hang out. Parents ask all sorts of questions before their children visit other homes, including about pets and allergies. ASK Day encourages parents to add one more question: “Is there an unlocked gun in your home?”

All of us — gun owners and non-gun owners alike — have a role in preventing family fire. Family fire refers to a shooting caused by someone having access to a gun from home when they shouldn’t have it. Unintentional shootings, suicide and intentional shootings are all forms of family fire. If safe storage practices are deployed in just 20% more households with children, we could reduce firearm suicide and unintentional firearm fatalities among youth by up to 32%.

For some, ASKing could be the first step that encourages lifesaving change. In Baltimore, we can all take the simple step of ASKing. Together, we’ll make ASKing part of our routine before sending our kids off to be with friends. Raising awareness about the risks of unsecured firearms in our community will help us reshape our culture and bring ourselves closer to a future free from gun violence.

ASK in June so your child makes it to school in August.

— Jasir Rahman, Houston

Zero tolerance will cure Fells Points problems

To the business owners of Fells Point that are affected by the open container and underage drinking: Tell the Baltimore Police Department that you want their mobile command center at Fells Point square every weekend, starting Thursday night. Tell the Baltimore Police Department that you are requesting a zero tolerance on open containers, along with curfew violations. This type of presence will address the Fells Point issue within a month, if not sooner, and ensure a safe place for tourists. It might even address some of the street bikes in the area.

— Richard Shaw, Baltimore