FIREARMS

Guns do prevent crimes

In regard to Sue Fillman’s question (letters, Dec. 28).

The American Rifleman’s “Armed Citizen” page has been reporting on this subject for the last 45 years that I’m aware of.

“Studies indicate that firearms are used more than 2 million times a year for personal protection, and that the presence of a firearm, without shot being fired, prevents crime in many instances. Shooting usually can be justified only where crime constitutes an immediate threat to life, limb or, in some cases property.”

I am sure that the NRA would welcome you visiting “The Armed Citizen Blog” at www.americanrifleman.org.

The January issue’s datelines were from such places as Indianapolis; Miramar, Fla.; Durant, Okla.; Kenosha, Wis.; Chicopee, Mass.; and Elyria, Ohio. I’ve only heard of Indianapolis, as most of us have.

Just because an event isn’t reported widely doesn’t mean it didn’t happen.

RON EDMONDSON, Nyssa, Ore.

Broaden your perspective

In a recent letter, Sue Fillman stated that she is unaware of stories about regular citizens who have saved lives through the use of a firearm. She asked the valid question: Where are all the stories to prove that guns in the hands of citizens save lives?

There is a monthly periodical titled “American Rifleman.” It is published to promote firearm awareness. Features include safety, technical reports, reloading information, antique facts, etc. Also, there is a monthly report titled “The Armed Citizen” featuring seven or eight stories of citizens who have protected themselves and others from evil via the use of a firearm. These are actual stories documented by police or reported in local news sources. For example, in October, a 12-year-old girl saved her life when she shot an intruder in Durant, Okla.

Sue isn’t aware of these stories because she lives in Meridian, a relatively low crime area. Also the mainstream media refuses to publish anything positive about gun ownership, so she doesn’t hear stories from elsewhere.

I recommend that people who think like Sue broaden their firearm awareness, and be thankful that they are insulated from evil stories simply because of where they live.

ROBERT BEAMAN, Meridian

Safeguard against tyranny

Benjamin Franklin said that we should never trust a government that does not trust its own citizens with guns. America’s Founding Fathers taught that, though government was necessary, if its power was not contained it would be like a consuming fire that would consume everything. The Second Amendment was created to protect the American people from possible tyranny from its own government, to ensure that they would be citizens and not subjects.

Our government should actually encourage the ownership of assault weapons in case our nation ever is invaded by a foreign power and our military was unable to stop it. The largest army in the world is the American gun owner.

The media has exploited every crime committed with guns but never reports the thwarting of crimes used by responsible gun owners. The media must remember that its freedom of the press is supported by the First Amendment which is supported by the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Pressure should be applied to the use of psychotropic drugs and the effect it is having on human nature and help for people who are mentally challenged.

TERRY SHEPARD, Boise

Personal responsibility

As gun-control advocates turn Sandy Hook into ideological hay, let’s review the real reasons why America needs gun control. History speaks clearly. Banning prostitution prevented men from cheating and desiring casual sex. Banning alcohol turned Americans into milk drinkers. (The 18th Amendment is testament to the effectiveness of Prohibition.) And the war on drugs has done a bang-up job in eliminating human interest in exploring mind-altering states. Or not?

Let’s look at more historical precedent, then. Cain supposedly murdered Abel with a rock. David killed Goliath with a pebble. And death by stoning has been a popular form of expressing displeasure and punishment since before recorded history in the Middle East. It’s therefore obvious that if we wish to impose cradle-to-grave security on society, we must cleanse the earth of the real triggers of human aggression — rocks! Or we could insist, instead, on higher standards of conduct and personal responsibility from parents and children alike. But I don’t think the relentless “do-gooders,” who howl in self-righteous indignation whenever a judge wants to give hard time to little darlings for setting the neighbor’s cats on fire, will go for the idea of imposing internal responsibility over imposing external control.

JENNIFER CHRISTIANO, Boise

Let’s stop the insanity

Triggers attached to people-killing guns, trigger fingers attached to crazy people, and people-killing gun ammunition. Responsible gun enthusiasts know that preventing future Newtowns will require addressing all three effectively.

By people-killing guns I mean guns designed to kill people, not for hunting or target shooting, and their “civilianized” or “sporterized” clones. These would include M-16’s and AK-47’s and their semiautomatic versions (e.g., AR-15), high capacity/large caliber semi-automatic handguns (e.g., Glocks), and “streetsweeper” and riot shotguns. There is nothing people-killing guns do better than traditional sporting arms, except for killing people.

We’re in a hole, so let’s stop digging.

Necessary although maybe not sufficient steps include: No more people-killing guns introduced into the civilian market, regulate their resale, reduce inventories, get serious about no-buy lists, eliminate civilian manufacture/sale/reloading of people-killing ammo (5.56 NATO/.223 Remington, 7.62 x 39, 5.7 x 28, 9 mm, .40 S. & W., .45 ACP).

Responsible gun enthusiasts will admit the necessity to sacrifice some for the greater good, and adjust. For example, they can rechamber their bolt-action .223’s to fire the .222 Remington Magnum cartridge, which cannot be fired in people-killing guns.

Let’s stop acting insane, continuing present policies, expecting different results.

JAMES M. RUNSVOLD, Caldwell

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Exercise some discretion

I understand your desire to publish letters submitted, but you need to use some discretion. The Dec. 31 letter by Allen Marsh contains allegations of voter fraud in the recent presidential election that are simply not logical. I checked data available online in some of the instances he mentions, and I suspect he’s focusing on far right-wing blogs and similar sources that report misleading or untrue voting results as fact. Repeating his “data” as fact serves no purpose other than to further alienate the two political sides, reflecting the divide that’s in evidence in D.C. currently. At the very least, make him back up his assertions with some actual data, or do the research yourself. Save the space in your letters to the editor page for responsible, reasonable correspondents.

WALT THODE, Boise

DOG HAZARD

Train or leash your pets

I was bitten by a dog Christmas day. I was trail running on the Buena Vista trail just north of 28th Street. It may have been an Australian shepherd. The medium-sized dog had a red bandanna around its neck. Didn’t get contact info.

I received medical attention and had a tetanus shot and antibiotics administered.

I run or ride most days in the Foothills. From my observation, 95 percent of dog owners do not have their dogs under control, either trained to heel or leashed.

I have had encounters numerous times. Most all are friendly, but not welcome. Dogs run at me and jump up or run up very close or stand in a faceoff posture. I have had dogs nip at my fingers as they pass, friendly gesture? I like dogs! I don’t like your dog as much as you do or know your dog as well you do.

Dog owners’ rights to have dogs in the Foothills ends where my rights begin to travel unimpeded. Please train or leash your dogs.

ED STECKMEST, Boise

RAFFLE GAME

For Idahoans only?

The Idaho raffle game should be strictly for Idaho residents only. Idaho needs to beef up its own economy with the residents’ money besides the dollars from the sales, not Oregon and other states! I’ve talked to others and their view is the same. Who can wrap their heads around this big mistake?

Idaho has a lot of nice games to play. I play all the time, but I don’t let it get out of hand. Thank you for letting me blow steam. This is my first letter.

BOB BOWLIN, Boise