

Letters to the Editor

12:40 PM, Jan. 6, 2013  |  Comments

Taking guns means a loss of freedom

For those of you who believe in taking away our Second Amendment rights, please put a sign in your yard stating "Gun Free Zone."

No, why not? Afraid of the bad guys? Yup, so are we. Guns don't kill people, people kill people.

A refresher to the Second Amendment to our Constitution: "A well-regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed."

As one of our Founding Fathers, George Washington stated: "A free people ought not only to be armed and disciplined, but they should have sufficient arms and ammunition to maintain a status of independence from any who might attempt to abuse them, which would include their own government."

We are at the point in time where this right is about to be taken away from us, piece by piece.

Will you stand by and let this happen?

Guns in schools would distort education

Guns in school. Let teachers switch from the NEA and join the NRA. Change ABCs to AK47, Beretta and Colt. How about instead of recess, close order drilling?

To improve dexterity, have children break down and reassemble their weapons. B

ring back marksmanship instead of penmanship. Martial arts instead of finger painting.

Instead of plain old math introduce caliber, gauge and millimeter.

Finally, instead of our national anthem how about "The Battle Hymn of the Republic"?

Just a few suggestions from a retired teacher.

Gun owners need group that stresses safety

When I was 13 years old, I purchased my first rifle with money I saved from shoveling snow and other like things. It was a Mossberg 22 semi-automatic. I used it for target practice. When I was in college, I went hunting in upstate New York with friends from college. I used a war surplus, bolt action 303 Enfield - my second rifle.

I no longer have either of those rifles. I no longer hunt. I now have a Colt 45 semi-automatic pistol that I got for in-home protection and a Ruger 22 semi-automatic rifle that I use for target practice. I have had other guns as well, but I ceased having a need for them.

I know the Second Amendment ensures my right to own a gun and I am happy about that. I have no problem with anyone having a gun for personal protection or hunting. I have major problems with people buying guns without background checks. I have major problems with people using large clips (anything over 10 capacity) and military-style semi-automatic weapons. I have no fear of the government taking my guns or the United Nations taking over our government. I see no need to carry a concealed weapon or carry a gun in public. The only people I want to see carrying a gun in public are police officers and other trained law enforcement agents.

It really is getting crazy out there and arming everyone 10 times over isn't going to make it any better. I have steadfastly refused to join the NRA - they phone me every year - because I think the NRA is doing nothing to ensure and protect my rights. On the contrary, I think the NRA is lobbying for things that place me and my family in jeopardy. If there was an organization for gun owners that stressed gun safety, gun training and provided membership benefits , I would join.

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