Letters to the Editor 1-3-13

Responsible gun owners
Editor: I was raised in Dry Creek and have owned guns since I was 6 years old. I have never pointed a gun at a human and unless forced to do so; to save a life, will never do so. Your response to the recent event is why the gun lobby always wins and nothing happens. A cry to do away with all guns is going nowhere.
There are millions of responsible gun owners who do not shoot people. Also you are not aware that there are many European citizens who own guns.
I do agree that some additional controls need to be put in place. The people that crafted the 2nd Amendment were only aware of muskets shooting one shot at a time. Now we have weapons capable of many rounds fired per minute. In that regard I would propose that we update by controlling assault rifles, clips/magazines with greater capacity than 10. As a hunter, I have never had need for more than 3 or 4 rounds at a time.
Also let us demand better screening procedures to eliminate sales to the mentally ill and convicted felons!
Christian please recognize that responsible gun owners will join the military in defending our country in the event of an invasion. There are millions of us who would respond to such a crisis. I am sure this is a fact recognized around the world.
So let us not over react because a very minute number of Americans engage in horrific attacks.
David F. Scatena
Healdsburg