Mar 3, 2018 2 min read

I was sitting in my den sorting through mail when I spotted an orange card from the National Rifle Association in support of a local candidate. It set forth the NRA’s four commitments to support gun distribution and use.

At that same moment, images of the horrific massacre of students in Florida by a youngster with an automatic rifle appeared on my TV.

I’m reminded the right to “keep and bear arms” in the Second Amendment begins with “A well-regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state …” We have not had a militia in 150 years. And the use of guns is clearly not “well-regulated.”

I’m a veteran and have been trained in everything up to twin .50-caliber machine guns. They were invented and intended for the military. I cannot think of a single, justifiable use for automatic or semi-automatic rifles in the hands of private citizens.

Each massacre in America has seen a use of those same weapons. After each disaster, there is an outcry to “do something” about our grave crisis. But our political representation, “encouraged” by gun dealers, manufacturers and users, turn the tables, blaming the user or “psychologically” disadvantaged instead.

But the common denominator in all of these outbursts are automatic and semi-automatic weapons. Banning those in civilian hands won’t solve all of our problems, but it would be a good start. 

Shortly after this unnerving experience, I drove out on the road and was confronted by a roadside sign saying “machine gun rental.” That did it for me. I will not support any candidate at any level who opposes reasonable gun control, and I urge readers to do likewise.

Charles C. Keller

Washington