In light of the carnage that’s taken place in our schools since 1999 maybe it’s time to create a Department of Self-Defense. We should have a few months before school starts up to decide which way to go. Start by fortifying the entrance to every single school in the country. Bullet-proof glass and doors that lock automatically upon closing. No backpacks allowed for grades seven to 12.

Create a task force to monitor the dark web and sites frequented by racists, white supremacists, and haters of all types. Provide this force with a healthy monetary fund to deal with lawsuits brought by those claiming their privacy rights have been violated. An aggressive approach to threat assessment will help to decrease these vicious attacks.

Create a mandatory program for males starting in fourth grade that teaches them how to resolve conflicts and manage their anger. Continue through grade 12, with no exceptions.

Institute a ban on assault weapons (AR15) and start a buy-back of all firearms that provides fair market value to the owner.

All of these measures can easily be funded from the lard and blubber that exists in our $780 billion defense budget. Order a few less B-2 Spirit bombers at $2.4 billion each. Order a few less F-35 jets at $110 million each (pilot helmets at $400K each). Close half of our 700 military bases around the world at a savings of untold $billions.

And for all the Second Amendment fanatics seeking to defend themselves I have a couple questions.

Who is it that’s coming after you? Is it the Russians or Chinese? Maybe it’s the drug cartels? Or maybe it’s the big bad government? Good luck with that when the full force and power of the feds come after you. Waco and Ruby Ridge come to mind. That’s a battle you’re never going to win.

The gutless wonders in Congress have proven they’re not capable of passing effective legislation, so it’s up to the states to provide maximum safety for our most precious resource, our children.

Dennis Regan, former Gowanda resident, lives in Pittsford.