When I say you’re in my thoughts and prayers, I mean it

People walk to a church to say a prayer near the baseball field, the scene of a multiple shooting in Alexandria, Va., June 14, 2017. A rifle-wielding attacker opened fire on Republican lawmakers at a congressional baseball practice, wounding House GOP Whip Steve Scalise of Louisiana and several others as congressmen and aides dove for cover. Cliff Owen AP file

Marcus Bretón writes in his opinion piece June 16 that saying you are in my thoughts and prayers is “meaningless ... they are expressions of denial.” Really? When I express my concern to victims and victims’ families by saying they are in my thoughts and prayers, my words are not some feel-good, cop-out sentiment, but an honest entreaty to my Lord. I know the healing power of Jesus.

Mr. Bretón also opines, “In the face of endless, pointless violence, we are all cowards unless we raise our voices against violence and the root of violence: the proliferation of guns in America.” I spent 30 years in law enforcement, and Mr. Bretón needs to get a reality check on what causes violence – it is evil. I could give Mr. Breton (and countless other Americans) a firearm, and I would bet he wouldn’t shoot someone.

Until we set aside the misguided mantra that if we don’t control every gun there will never be a stop to killings, and address the real root cause we will be lost in the muck and mire of lies and false ideas. It takes courage to defend our Constitution and the right for Americans to own firearms.

Christopher Patin, Clovis

This story was originally published June 25, 2017 at 2:06 PM with the headline "When I say you’re in my thoughts and prayers, I mean it."

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