The recent rash of mass shootings once again stimulates the knee-jerk reaction to ban semiautomatic and other guns without any observation of the moral breakdown in our society that may be contributing to such violent behavior.
There are signs posted in schools and government buildings banning guns and noting gun-free zones. I believe they have proven useless and are unconstitutionally banning the right for a citizen to bear arms.
Yet, the Ten Commandments are banned in public schools and government buildings — despite the Constitution specifically stating that there shall be no law prohibiting the free exercise of religion.
Imagine if smokers around the country got the ACLU to ban “no smoking” signs. Wouldn’t that send a message to smokers everywhere that they can go ahead and light up? Instead, we have banned the moral code that tells our kids not to lie, cheat, steal or murder. What message does that send?
The reason the Constitution included the right to bear arms was not for the sake of hunters, but rather to protect citizens from a ruthless, powerful and unopposed government. Frankly, I am not sure what is more fearful — the unopposed powerful government bureaucrats, or the crazed psychopaths.
Joel I. Last
Greensburg