On Gun Control . . .

Here's one citizen's view on gun control:  

 I see no reason why any private citizen needs to own a military assault weapon or the high-capacity magazines that go with them.  I urge that these be outlawed.  Certainly, stringent background checks are also required.  And it wouldn't hurt to require that those whose mental problems include threats of violence, particularly threats against the general public, be tracked in some manner.

I have nothing against gun ownership as such.  My first gun was a ninth birthday present, and at one time I owned over a dozen, but burglars stole most of them, which goes to emphasize the need for gun owners to be sure their weapons are kept in secure storage when not in use.  That, too, might be part of any gun control legislation. 

As Colin Powell recently reminded us, the actual wording of the second amendment is as follows: “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.”  He pointed out that it is clear from this that those who framed the amendment felt that it was necessary to regulate that militia, which undoubtedly includes regulating the types of armament available to them.  The amendment doesn't specify what types of armament the militia are allowed to keep, so without regulation, the general public would be free to own rocket launchers, atomic bombs, or any other kind of armament they can get their hands on.  I simply can't believe that any responsible member of Congress wants that. 

So, I have strongly urged my senators and representative to support legislation that puts meaningful controls on access to weapons, particularly those that might be used in massive assaults such as the school shootings that have become increasingly common in recent years but also taking into account the fact that handguns play a role in most gun-linked homicides.

And yes, I do have a military background, having served on active duty in the Pacific in the mid-1960s and retired with the rank of lieutenant commander from the U. S. Naval Reserve in 1979.