There is a direct link between access to guns and violence

Our readers have their say about gun violence, homework, the Dubai motor show and the Kurds in Syria

An armed Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department officer secures the premises after a shooting at Saugus High School in Santa Clarita. AFP

I write to you in reference to Janine di Giovanni's article After yet another school shooting, America needs a national epiphany on gun control (November 17): it is heart-wrenching to keep reading news about shootings in the US. That there has been more than one gun-related death per day this year should be unacceptable to all the country's citizens.

I appreciate the argument that these shootings are sometimes carried out by people with mental disorders but it is not rocket science for the public to understand that there is a direct link between gun violence and public access to weapons in the market. One need only compare the death toll in the US with those in other countries to realise that it is not all down to mental health.

The Trump administration should not drag its feet on this problem. It must tackle it now.

K Ragavan, Bengaluru

Homework is essential for pupils to develop proper study skills

I write to you in reference to Anam Rizvi's article Dubai parents want more play time and less homework for pupils (November 15): homework is essential because it is through assignments and projects that children are able to recap what they learn in school. Aside from cognitive ability and memory, homework helps develop study skills and good habits like discipline that will serve them well throughout life. Furthermore, it teaches children to be independent and take responsibility for their work.

I took a lot of pleasure in doing my homework, even though we didn’t have the internet back then to help us. In fact, we had to put on our thinking caps and complete our assignments within a short span of time. Why can’t today’s generation, who have information at their fingertips, do the same?

Mathew Litty, Dubai

Dubai motor show has got it right by focusing on local enthusiasts

I write to you in reference to Gautam Sharma's article From Paris to Detroit: is the Internet killing off international motor shows? (November 16): I went to the last ever British show, pre-internet, which is why it was so big. The Dubai International Motor Show got it right by including local car clubs and enthusiasts. That keeps interest up.

Ken Hurst, Dubai

Kurds must be properly protected, particularly after US withdrawal

I write to you in reference to Jack Moore's article Iraq's Kurds warn of winter of 'catastrophe' for refugees fleeing Syria offensive (November 14): it is unfortunate that no one is taking the Kurds' safety seriously in Syria. The US withdrawal is really worrying.

Name withheld by request