GUNS: Let's face reality

Robert Smith’s “My Turn” about the utility of being able to fight back in life-threatening situations was spot on. He was offering an observation based on special training, a lifetime of experiences and study. Unlike the movies where all the good people survive with only minor and easily recoverable injuries, in real life, some good people die or are terribly hurt.

In Vietnam, the enemy had a policy of “grabbing the enemy by the belt.” That is to get as close to us as they could to mitigate the use of aircraft attacks, mortars and artillery. If they were very close, we could only use those weapons if we were willing to undergo the very real risk of “friendly fire.”

Many of our fellow citizens need to pull their heads out of where the sun doesn’t shine and start living in the real world. Bad people exist. There are many more good people than bad people. Leave the responsible good people free to arm themselves as they feel the need and let the bad people take their chances.

I watched the Columbine High School shooting live on television. Etched in my mind is the deputy standing by his car in the field, listening as the two killers walked the hallways executing defenseless young people. A single deputy entering the building would have altered the equation. You cannot concentrate on killing when a citizen or lawman is firing on you.

When the bullets are flying, they don’t always hit only the bad people. That is true and it is time Americans quit letting the entertainment industry guide their thinking.

The Constitution, the bedrock ruling document of our nation, was only approved with the promise that the Bill of Rights would be added. No one should have to justify or beg permission to be armed.

BOB HUNT

Post Falls