I was born and raised in a small, rural Maine town of 3,000 people. I never had a gun until I was 13. It was a BB gun.

One day, I was in the backyard when I shot a local girl's horse in the rump as she rode the horse down the street. She was not hurt, but no one ever saw the gun again.

I spent two years in the U.S. Army and became familiar with the M-1 rifle. I became quite proficient, with an expert marksmanship medal.

Most families in the town of Wilton were like mine. Most folks did not own guns. They didn't carry guns, even in their cars except during deer hunting season.

Now some families have handguns, rifles and military assault-style guns. Thousand of citizens are being killed in this country every year.

The NRA deserves condemnation for its place in American culture.

I grew up in a peaceful society where guns were not a significant aspect of the culture. Now, it seems that a minority of the population (those with guns) wields considerable influence. Those people have wealth, power and influence.

I resist the notion that the culture of this society has changed in its values from 50 years ago.

I believe that most families are not part of the NRA "gun culture."

The ordinary citizens of this country must organize and collectively oppose the NRA to minimize its negative impact on U.S. culture.

We must protect the children.

Ronald Melendy, Auburn