I was deeply saddened and horrified by the Newtown shooting on Dec. 14. I was also exceedingly frustrated to hear the NRA, an organization that represents less than 2 percent of Americans, speak nothing of gun control, but argue for armed guards at every school.
This is not only expensive, but is also something that has not been shown to be effective. There were two armed guards at Colombine, who were unable to get a clean shot before 15 students were brutally murdered. There were armed guards at Fort Hood and at Virginia Tech, and this did not stop the death tolls there.
Not only should we reinstate the assault weapons ban, but also improve the background check program, close the gun show loophole, set a monthly limit of "one" to the number of guns one person can purchase at a time, annual registration of each gun a person owns (just as I have to register my car and my dog each year, it seems reasonable to do this with a lethal weapon), and make mandatory the reporting to authorities if a gun is stolen. Ban the sale of high-capacity clips and magazines, and limit the amount of ammunition a person can buy at one time.
Though politically it would be a challenge, only allowing federally-authorized dealers to sell guns would help to control some of the unfettered access to arms that potential murderers have.
It’s time for the NRA to stop speaking for the other 98 percent of Americans.
Elizabeth Rothe, Turner
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Ms. Rothe, The NRA
speaks for 100% of those that truly believe in the principals of out Founders. I believe that figure is far more than 2%.
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Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.Perhaps you are not aware of
Perhaps you are not aware of how many people support the NRA and even more that support what it stands for - the right to own guns.
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Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.Seems like there are many folks out there who just don't...
get it.
We cannot take ALL the tools of distruction and mayhem away from those who are politically motivated, mentally disturbed or emotionally unbalanced. (Knives, ropes, poison, cars, woodstove tools, box cutters, jet planes, baseball bats, etc., etc., etc.)
Therefore, some Americans have taken it upon themselves to arm themselves to decrease the "response time" in the event of a personal threat; it is a right granted to us by our Constitution.
I remember when I came to Maine 13 years ago, the biggest news story was someone stealing lobsters from traps in the harbor. Now we see page after page of home invasions; given that many are between drug sellers and users, but some against those who need certain medications and become targets as well.
It's just that simple; oh and by the way, once again, this right is protected by our US Constitution. If you really think the time has passed for the rights we have under the second amendment, just try to amend the constitution and see how much support is out there.
I for one, am tired of folks who say they are speaking for the majority for whatever reason.
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