This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
In the May 4 edition of The Salt Lake Tribune, on the front page of one of the sections, you showed an image of Kieffer Sutherland (as Jack Bauer from the series "24") with a firearm, pointing it in a menacing manner, although not at a particular person.
I have two young children (ages 3 and 5). I do not allow them to watch such violent programming on television, because I feel they are too young for this subject matter. I do not feel they are ready for conversation on such topics as guns and violence.
You do not (and I presume, would not) show images of people drinking, smoking, engaging in drug use, having sex or any number of other activities, for the reasons I stated above. I do not understand why you seem to think that gun violence falls outside these categories and into the acceptable to print category.
I am the furthest thing from a prude. I understand that all these things are all facts of life, that they must be talked about with my kids, and I fully intend to do so when I feel they are ready, not when you decide they are ready.
Andrew S. Merrill
Sandy