No one needs an AR-15

Yet another school shooting has just occurred. Thoughts and prayers are not enough; legislation is desperately needed. No one should have a military-style weapon except the military.

It is time to understand that the Second Amendment is not absolute. The First Amendment proclaims freedom of religion and assembly, but no one believes human sacrifice should be allowed as part of a religious ceremony or that people should be allowed to meet to plan a bank robbery or terrorist plot.

Restrictions on gun ownership don’t lead to taking all your guns away, any more than automobile legislation leads to taking your cars away. No one has ever suggested preventing hunting or target shooting. But no one needs an AR-15 to shoot a bunny or a deer or a super-sized magazine to hit a target. We cannot keep wringing our hands and complaining that nothing can be done.

Support the students demanding change, encourage them to keep up the pressure, and in November vote for candidates who will make our country safe, not those in thrall to the NRA.

Richard S. Williams

Spokane