Deep-six the Second

Thank you, readers who wrote in support of my view that the vast majority of guns in our gun culture are lethal toys used for sport (games). As one reader pointed out, those uses are not problematic. But, in my view, the gun culture they support arms those who are problematic due to a chronic or temporary violent emotional or mental disposition, criminal or suicidal intent, a belief they are called to overthrow our government, a hero complex, paranoia, carelessness or bad parenting.

Problematic people will always be among us. Under the right circumstances, they are us. We can’t imprison them all, “fix” them all with counseling or shoot them all in self-defense. Guns in the hands of problematic people are the problem. With so many, many guns so ridiculously easy to obtain, it’s a massive problem.

God bless our state National Guard and state and local law enforcement. They fulfill No. 2’s purpose of well-ordered militias. If our founders knew of the carnage caused by our massive, monetized, politicized and glorified gun culture; our political allegiance to guns; our sensual enchantment with gun “play” in entertainment; and the routine shootings (in 2020, shootings were among the five leading causes of death for Americans ages 1-44), I believe our founders would say: “Whoa Nellie! Y’all need to rethink this thing.”

Our gun culture is anchored by the Second Amendment, which is not, by the way, God-given. Sensible gun regulation is apparently unconstitutional due to perverse but prevailing NRA-dictated SCOTUS interpretation of No. 2, leaving its repeal as our only option. Many other countries have sensible gun laws and a fraction of our gun violence.

Where did the latest deranged mass shooter get the gun? He got the

gun from us! Ixnay No. 2.

HOWELL MEDDERS Fayetteville