I am responding to the May 5 letter written by Kelly A. Parks (“Gun Control: Face the facts, pistols purpose to kill humans”).
Should we let fear control our country? Firearm haters and those with irrational gun fears need to be more realistic and less idealistic. First of all, let’s look at the facts:
1. The Second Amendment protects the individual use and ownership of arms. Our government and courts have interpreted that to include rifles, shotguns and pistols. Obviously this has not included the use of machine guns and hand grenades. Kelly Parks stated that grenades and pistols are not protected under the Second Amendment. Parks is right about grenades, but clearly inaccurate about pistols.
2. Not everyone who is legally able to carry a gun does so. Responsible gun owners have a right to possess handguns. As for those carrying handguns illegally, they should be prosecuted. This is in opposition to Parks’ fear-rooted, irrational notion that all handguns should be confiscated due to abuse by a few.
3. Owning a handgun has nothing to do with, as Parks suggested, a British invasion. It seems that Parks views the Second Amendment as outdated. Because the Revolutionary War has long since ceased, Parks believes the use of firearms is unnecessary. I believe the Second Amendment’s validity does not depend on protecting oneself. It is a right given to us in the Bill of Rights.
I, like Parks, believe we should take an intelligent approach regarding firearms. However, I have a different stance. I see the use of handguns as a means of protection as well as recreation. Not everyone with a gun is bent on doing evil. If you do not like firearms, then repeal the Second Amendment. Stop whining about their use. Rather, work for the prosecution of the minority who do abuse handguns.
Lastly, I find it difficult to believe that handguns will completely disappear just because a law is passed. If this idealistic approach had been successful, we would have already won the war on drugs. Does the idea of the government confiscating your handguns sound appealing? Remember its success in Europe and Australia. Law-abiding citizens turned in their guns to remain in compliance with government regulation. Do you believe the criminal element relinquished theirs? I don’t think so.
Lynnwood
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