Labrador’s newsletter on guns

Rep. Raul Labrador’s latest newsletter defended his stance against any type of gun control by setting up his argument as if the only positions one can hold are either (a) do nothing or (b) repeal the Second Amendment.

What he (and Cathy McMorris Rodgers for that matter) don’t acknowledge is that the majority of Americans don’t take either of those extreme positions, but rather favor regulations that improve public safety by limiting access to certain types of weapons. The First Amendment’s right to freedom of speech has its limitations (e.g., slander, or yelling “Fire” in a crowded theater are not protected rights).

It is disappointing and dangerous to all of us that so many members of the current U.S. Congress are unwilling to discuss similar common-sense limitations to the Second Amendment.

This November we need to elect new representatives for our region who have stated an intention to approach this issue more openmindedly and help U.S. citizens find common ground.

J. John Charyk

Bayview, Idaho