Big difference between ban and control
I have been reading the letters re: gun control that have been published over the last few weeks. By and large, they seem to be mostly from those who favor no control whatsoever, and use the excuse that this a right given to us by our founding fathers a couple hundred years ago when the “right to bear arms” was put in place.
I think we all need to keep in mind the conditions that prevailed at that time and realize that when that was instituted, we didn't have police in every community as we do now. The reasons at that time don't really hold true today as they did then. People needed protection as there was no way to get help quickly as there usually is today. I am quite sure they didn't make that amendment just because a lot of people wanted to shoot at targets and wild game.
That being said, I agree that we should abide by the amendment as far as the “right” to bear arms is concerned, but I don't consider banning certain types of weapons and large ammo clips as infringing upon that right.
One of the letters recently mentioned statistics on deaths caused by cars, airplanes, etc. Most all of those deaths were by accident or poor usage of the equipment involved. Not one of those items mentioned was ever designed to KILL people intentionally.
If you want to have a collection of hand guns, rifles, etc., even if they are semi-automatic, fine; that can be understood for both sport and protection. But what is the very reason assault weapons are manufactured? I believe the answer to that would be to make it easier to KILL someone or something. There is absolutely no logical reason that a weapon of that type needs to be in the hands or within the reach of Mr. Joe Homeowner.
You all are right in that the weapon itself can't kill anybody, but put one in the hands of a person in the right frame of mind and it becomes very, very deadly. How many of these mass murders would have had such a large number of casualties if the perpetrator would have had to stop and reload more often, which would give others an opportunity to overpower, or at least escape the area? Yes, it's true if someone wants to do something really bad and outrageous, they will find a way, but why make it so easy for them?
Ban all guns, NO; control the types of guns and size of ammo clips, DEFINITELY. There is a huge difference between ban and control! Let's at least be honest when this is discussed.
Gary Nichols
Yuma
