The recent tragedy at the elementary school in Connecticut is beyond horrible and our hearts reach out to the families who lost their innocent children and friends. Though I am not a supporter of guns and would never own one, I acknowledge that the U.S. Constitutional gives us the legal right to ‘bear arms’ in this country but struggle with the interpretation of the law.
My family includes members who like to hunt but the animals they kill are always used for food. I live in a large city and understand why some individuals who are at risk in high-crime areas may want a gun in their home for personal safety as long as they are licensed and well-trained. What I don’t understand is why anyone, other than military and police personnel, would ever need an automatic or semi-automatic assault weapon! Do you think the authors of the Constitution ever imagined the types of weapons that would replace muskets, bayonets and pistols? Gun control does not necessarily mean NO guns, but it can provide an intelligent framework for insuring access to those who are trained properly and have appropriate reasons for ownership.