GUNS: Response letter missed the point

I appreciate Doug Weir’s letter in response to my op-ed calling for a ban on the sale of assault weapons. He may have missed my point, which was that civilian versions of the M-16 cause catastrophic damage to tissue and organs, as they were designed to do, and have no business being on the streets of our country.

Congressman Brian Mast, a Florida Republican and Afghanistan veteran, came out for a ban on AR-15 style rifles, saying they are “the most lethal — the best for killing our enemies.” Mr. Weir points out that the venerable M-1 Garand was also deadly. But, the AR-15 has a higher muzzle velocity (400 feet per second more). It is shorter, lighter, much faster, has a much higher magazine capacity and, according to medical personnel, causes more grievous internal damage. That is why these rifles have become the weapon of choice for mass killers.

If any previous military weapons were better at killing people, they would still be in use. On the civilian side, I don’t recall an M-1 being used in any mass shooting so I don’t think we need to worry about getting them out of theaters, Walmarts and classrooms.

Sincerely,

JIM JONES

Boise