An appeal to gun owners to support new restrictions

Dear Editor,

Many well-meaning people feel deeply about defending their right to own guns. I am not a gun owner, but in a culture beset with so much random violence, having a weapon to protect yourself and your loved ones may not be entirely unreasonable.

Yet, there is an argument I would make to gun owners to support some restrictions, particularly regarding assault weapons.

We have many rights that are not absolute; there are many examples of acceptable restrictions. Obviously, we aren’t allowed to drive without proving that we are capable. Or drink alcohol until we reach the minimum age. We understand government’s function in issuing regulations and restrictions which try to balance individual rights with the benefit to society.

Certainly, banning assault weapons would infringe upon the enjoyment of using them for target practice, or other legal pursuits. And, of course, it would mean that owners of such weapons would have to find an alternative weapon for security.

But isn’t that a reasonable trade-off for keeping society safe from those, mentally unstable or otherwise, in schools or elsewhere, for whom assault weapons are the weapons of choice for mass murder?

If the federal government won’t act, state governments must. Other measures can help, but without banning assault weapons, they are Band-Aids.

Readers should support demonstrations, including the national school walkout on April 20 which will be asking for additional regulations.

The support of gun owners is most important.

Carole Ford Professor Emerita, SUNY Empire State College New Paltz, N.Y.