GUNS: Some only meant for killing others

One views the shock and disgust voiced after the near daily mass murder in this country and wonders why anybody is surprised. When I was a boy and young man the firearms of choice were the 22 rifle and 12-gauge shotgun. Big game hunters favored and still do more powerful 30-gauge rifles. These guns can in the proper hands kill humans, but that is not what they are designed to do. They were designed for the field hunting sports.

Today the most popular firearm is the AK-47 assault rifle or one of its close kin. These guns are designed for a single purpose, to kill other human beings as quickly as the state of that art allows. Since these are the most popular firearms, it stands to reason that people can and will use them for their intended purpose, just like we can expect folks with fast cars to go fast. These guns are not field sport guns as any seasoned hunter will tell you. Their ability to spew out rounds make them poor target firearms. Do not kid yourself — these AK47s and similar guns are designed to kill people only. So a better question is how did our society and its institutions became so mentally and morally bankrupt that a gun designed to kill others becomes the gun of choice?

GEOFF HARVEY

Hayden