In reading some recent letters to the editor, I had to reflect on the existing gun laws of the state of Massachusetts, which already require that purchasers or possessors of firearms be licensed, that guns are registered at the point of sale, are required to be in locked cabinets or have trigger locks, and unfit individuals are, and have always been, barred from becoming licensed. Anyone who thinks that obtaining a license or buying a firearm in this state is easy and simple is someone who obviously has never tried it.

An up-Island school committee meeting to discuss and approve the annual budget Monday spilled into a heartfelt discussion about security in the public schools following the tragedy in Newtown, Conn., last week.

Grief counseling was available in all Vineyard public schools Monday, three days after the elementary school shooting tragedy in Newtown, Conn., that left the country in shock and sadness.

Vineyard schools superintendent Dr. James H. Weiss said teachers had been briefed on how to respond to children’s questions about the tragedy. But while the shooting may result in changes to school security in the future, the goal for this week, principals and teachers said, was to provide as normal a week as possible for the children.