To the Editor:
This is in response to letters recently expressing a pro and a con on the subject of gun control. The premise of the recent con letter was that if we pass laws that limit assault weapons such as guns, then we should also pass laws that limit any other device that has been used to kill people – knives, automobiles, forceps in delivery of a fetus before birth, etc.
I don’t consider this argument to be worthy of comment. But, if you would, please consider the following thoughts on the availability of assault rifles.
The question to ask is: what can we do to improve one mass murder after another occurring that can also be accomplished with little negative impact on society? There are more than one. But, one is to limit the easy availability of access to assault rifles.
When the only purpose of a semi-automatic rifle is to kill people, it’s availability should be banned from any party other than the military or law enforcement. I’m aware of all the arguments against this. I could respond to each, but this letter would be too long.
The argument most often used is: such a law punishes the law-abiding citizen by limiting his rights. The answer is “yes.” Any law passed limits the freedom of some for the benefit of many, whether passing a driver’s test, possessing a controlled substance, paying taxes, or other. But, if the value to society outweighs that freedom, then the law should be passed. A second argument is: the only way to stop a bad guy with an assault rifle is to have a good guy with one. How many times in the mass murders have we had a citizen with an assault rifle take out a bad guy with an assault rifle? The easiest argument to comment on is: the problem is not guns; it’s mental health. Well, it’s the mental health of the person with the assault rifle, isn’t it? Can we not address both issues?
I’ll stop here. I haven’t even gotten into gun registration and licensing by tests for ownership, lists of people who should be restricted from gun ownership, and controls on manufacture and sale. I’ll be interested in replies to my comments. Thanks to all who give the subject serious consideration.
Dave Maurer
Village of Hemingway
