Give police the backing and support needed to do their job

Everyone's heart goes out to the victims of violent crimes. Folks who think gun bans will help the U.S. crime rate are mistaken.

All you have to do is look a country that has banned guns and read how crime rates soared. Type in "U.S. vs. England crime rate" and see how England's crime rate went up five times above the U.S. since their gun ban. Criminal thugs have nothing to fear, because helpless victims cannot defend themselves.

Americans need to wake up. Demand better police protection, and give the police the backing and support needed to do their job. Stop the protest about excess force. The criminal thugs don't worry about excess force with their knives, guns, ball bats, etc., to kill and maim.

If the police defend their self or victims, here come the protesters ready to riot. Enough is enough. The police have gone  from bullets to bean bags and pepper spray. What's next powder puffs?

- Jim Cannon, St. John