Valhalla, N.Y.: Recently, many opinions have been expressed here regarding who’s to blame for the uptick in gun-related crime. While one Voicer proclaims that the highest incidence of these events happens in “red” states, another will argue that within those states, it is cities with Democratic mayors that drive the numbers up.

This only serves to further isolate us from each other. It makes solutions more remote. Republicans have to have the good sense to adopt, implement and enforce more stringent gun control measures. Introducing a gun into a volatile situation increases the chance of a bad outcome. In the hands of an angry or emotionally unstable person, it turns an argument into a potential tragedy.

We pass copious laws to protect our population from harm, yet we repeatedly fall short here. Hiding behind the Second Amendment is allowing this cancer to spread. Laws pertaining to firearms are mostly determined by the executive and legislative branches on the state level. Red state governors and state legislatures bear responsibility here, as they’ve done almost nothing to diminish the flow of guns, bullets and death not only in their states but in others where these guns inevitably find a home.

Democrats, on the other hand, have to be tougher on violent crime and the criminals who commit it. Is the Democratic Party so deaf as to not hear the American people cry out for this? It is no wonder that Democrats are having such a tough time winning local elections. They need to listen to the people they wish to represent. Frank J. Cifali

Maplewood, N.J.: Mayor Adams, please address the out-of-control crime. Many of my relatives voted for you and are now very angry with what’s going on. I used to visit the city regularly but not anymore. Sad. Maisie Fernandez

White Plains, N.Y.: I don’t usually agree with Mayor Adams but I can’t understand how no one reported how much hate speech and threats the subway shooter posted on social media — and nothing was done to stop him. This seems unbelievable. Maybe if someone reported his hate speech and threats, this crime could have been stopped and all those people would be unhurt. Joan Cocurullo

Brooklyn: Mayor Adams decides to spend our hard-earned tax dollars to lure Floridians to New York because of the “Don’t Say Gay” law. He correctly estimates that untold thousands of Florida parents will uproot their 5-to-9-year-olds and move to New York. Once here, they will gladly pay 13% of their income in local taxes that they wouldn’t pay in Florida. They will also have the privilege of having their young children indoctrinated in the vagaries of sexual politics. I hope the mayor has a plan to handle the inevitable deluge of families. Frank Congiusta

Manhattan: Here’s my response to Mayor Adams’ inappropriate comment about cutting Will Smith some slack (Smith was having a “bad day”): Tell that to the multitudes of women who get slapped, punched and beaten because their partners were having a bad day. The mayor could have said, “Let the punishment fit the crime. Ban Will Smith from future ceremonies but let him keep his well-earned Oscar.” But he didn’t. He went all out defending the indefensible. Susan L. Frost

Warwick, R.I.: This year, we are celebrating our third Easter in the throes of the pandemic with an unknown timeframe. We are also facing a devastating war in Eastern Europe, escalating inflation and shortages of certain products, manpower and services. Take the time this year to reflect on your spiritual needs and essential values by attending a service of your choice. Our current needs are for a safe environment, secure employment, ample food supply and family health. Many of our needs may be difficult to obtain. It will take time to return to some semblance of a new near-normal life. Also, remember those who are no longer present in our lives and try to assist the many people with serious needs at home and in foreign lands. Join in family gatherings this Easter and remember that it is family that truly matters when adversity appears. Bob Sweeney

Lindenhurst, L.I.: The divine story of Easter, the crucifixion and empty tomb, started with the birth of Jesus at Christmas. The Word of God became human, had a voice and lived as a man until death. It is all one story. Thus, the birth of Jesus at Christmas to the resurrection at Easter is one story, the greatest story ever told. Amen. Susan Marie Davniero

Manhattan: Unlike much of my fellow men, I do not believe in the Easter Bunny, Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy — or God. And I’m getting more cynical about justice these days, especially in our courts and laws. Daniel Jean Lipsman

Cincinnati: This Easter, we must feed the world’s hungry, as the war in Ukraine leaves millions more people in need of aid. The crisis comes on top of many other hunger emergencies, including war-torn Yemen. Since Ukraine is a major supplier of wheat, the war is leading to shortages and higher prices everywhere. Relief agencies are struggling to keep up with a massive global hunger crisis. In Yemen, the lack of funding for the World Food Program (WFP) forced them to reduce rations for 8 million war victims. In Afghanistan, 23 million people are desperate for food because of instability and drought. Ethiopia, Haiti, South Sudan, Somalia and the Sahel are also suffering extreme hunger. We can donate to charities like WFP, CARE, Catholic Relief Services, Mercy Corps, Action Against Hunger, Save the Children, Edesia and others fighting global hunger. We can give war victims food and hope this Easter. William Lambers

Bronx: The informative March 18 “Red & Rover” comic strip about littering got me thinking. Litter is almost everywhere. Discarded candy and gum wrappers, empty chip bags, cigarette butts and other litter add up to one big mess. Please use the nearest trash receptacle and keep our streets litter-free. Marsha Kolin

Great Neck, L.I.: April 15 marked the 75th anniversary of Jackie Robinson playing his first Major League Baseball game for the Brooklyn Dodgers. It was a milestone for integrating the sport. It was a time when working and middle-class men and women of all ages, races and religions commingled in the stands, rooting for Robinson and his teammates regardless of ethnic origin, game after game. Ordinary Brooklyn natives could ride the bus, trolley or subway to Ebbets Field to see their beloved Dodgers. Everyone could afford a bleacher, general admission, reserve or box seat. Hot dogs, beer, other refreshments and souvenirs were reasonably priced. Just as Robinson fought racism in the 1950s, Detroit Tiger Hank Greenberg had to do the same with anti-Semitism in his time. Robinson and Greenberg both document the long-lasting relationship between African-Americans and Jewish sports fans standing together for decades in support of each other. Larry Penner

Whitestone: It’s not right, no matter how you slice it — police officers, firefighters and teachers have every God-given right to refuse what they believe will harm them. Their peace of mind has no price. Sally DeFelice

Centerport, L.I.: There seems to be a need to shame the wealthy, especially at tax time. The presumption is that the wealthy do not pay any taxes. However, they do. It has been proclaimed that they should pay more. Consequently, there is an idea to tax them based on the total value of their assets instead of income. Next, there is an idea to tax unrealized gains. In reality, both are bad taxes. Taxing an individual’s total wealth would be confiscation of assets instead of only a tax on income. Taxing unrealized income is a tax on profits not yet tangible. Anyone can take advantage of tax exemptions, tax deductions, tax-deferred income or tax credits. I am not a 1-percenter. However, the idea has always been to pay less in taxes. Peter Scott