A recent letter regarding military style semi-automatic firearms (specifically the AR-15) deserves some response. He cites his involvement in hunting and shooting. The Second Amendment has nothing to do with hunting or recreational shooting. He states he has a concealed carry permit (which typically pertains to handguns), so apparently he favors self defense. I used to have a concealed carry permit (no longer feel I need one) and favor a handgun for some self defense situations. But handguns are not ideal for everyone, especially not for persons who do not practice enough to be able to shoot one accurately in a time of stress.
Some people prefer a shotgun for home defense. These too can be suitable, but not for everyone. A few years ago, then-vice president Biden publically stated that, rather than having a handgun, women would be better off with a double-barreled 12-gauge shotgun for home defense. That was horrible advice. Shortly after that a video circulated on email of young women who were not shooters firing 12-gauge shotguns. All were knocked off balance, some lost their hold on the gun and some fell down – definitely not good self defense positions. It then showed a young woman (possibly a teenager) firing an AR-15. She was able to control it and shoot accurately. They may be the best home defense firearms for the non-shooter. They are short, light, have very little recoil, and do not require lots of practice in order to be used effectively in self-defense.
Any gun can be misused, but to deny honest people good self defense arms is wrong. There have been many good suggestions made on how to reduce gun violence by keeping them out of the wrong hands and needed improvements to the background check data base. Getting rid of objects that convert semi-auto fire to full-auto are a good start. Magazine capacity limits (at some suitable level) can be worked out. I find it hard to imagine needing 25-plus round magazines for home defense. While living in Montana, I did have one occasion to load up a 20 round magazine (more than needed) for an SKS when a couple of criminals escaped police custody for a few hours in our town.
Bill Peterson
Grand Marais
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