I share Miss Davies’ concern regarding recent mass murders in our country (“Arming teachers isn’t the answer,” 3/3/18), but not her penchant for blaming the weapons employed, or individuals and organizations innocent of wrong-doing. As is so often the case, the AR-15 is referred to, incorrectly, as an “assault rifle.” It most certainly is not.
It functions the same way as other semi-automatic rifles available and has been in common use throughout the country for over a century. There is absolutely no rational excuse to think that “banning” a particular implement will prevent its improper use. Remember prohibition; the “war on drugs”? How’s that working out for you?
As for the NRA, blaming them for crimes committed with firearms is like blaming the AAA for automobile accidents, or the United Negro College Fund for inner city crime rates.
Then there is her animosity regarding the issue of concealed carry reciprocity. Clearly she is unaware that privately owned firearms are used to prevent millions of crimes per year, and those who carry concealed are, as a group, among the most law-abiding in the country.
The recent use of weapons in ways formerly considered inconceivable is not due to some change in the gun, but to the on-going degradation of societal standards, norms, and morals. Admittedly, changing society is a long, difficult process, but that’s how we got here, and how we will bring a long-needed end to the current trend of death and degeneracy. The idea of arming teachers, unthinkable (and unnecessary) only a few years ago, is but the latest sign of the times. As a parent and grandparent, I can assure you I view a gunfight as preferable to a massacre.
Nevin D. Holmberg
Hovland
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