LAPIERRE ARGUMENT BOGUS—NOT MORE FREE WITH FEAR OF MASS DEATHS

NRA CHIEF WRONGLY ARGUES THAT GUN LAWS MAKE US LESS FREE

The actual facts are that unregulated possession of (even battlefield) weapons make us all LESS FREE.  All citizens are less free when they fear to go to school, fear to attend a music festival or a sports event or conduct their business in the public square because of the threat of a madman wielding a battlefield style weapon of war in a civilian setting.

WE ARE ALL LESS FREE SADDLED BY FEAR OF UNCONTROLLED,  UNREGULATED WEAPONS POSSESSION.

The rights of gun owners is protected by our Constitution...but it is not absolute.  At present we can not purchase flame throwers or anti-tank weapons or the Browning Automatic Rifle.  But the definitions have become blurred and misused by gun manufacturers and legislators.  Any self loading, centerfire weapon with a high capacity magazine is in effect a machine gun.  The designation  of automatic and semi-automatic has become meaningless.  Let us recognize that.  The AR15 ( and other models like it) is for all intents  and purposes ( in its ability to kill and maim) is no different than the M16 military issue rifle upon which its design is based.  Let’s get these guns off the market.

We must balance the rights of gun owners (to purchase even military assault style weapons) against the rights of our citizens to assemble freely and without fear; for our children’s right to an education free of anxiet;  the right to be free of fear that in some public space,  a deranged person will spray high-velocity bullets, death, and terror that will end their life, or that of a loved one in the blink of an eye.

We need reasonable balance!

Ban the sale and possesion of centerfire, gas operated, semi-automatic weapons and those with magazines of more than five rounds except to those who pass strict licensing and safety tests and who can demonstrate an absolute need for possession of such a weapon.

Let’s join the rational world regarding gun use and gun possesion.  The alternative is unthinkable.