Gun rights

Regarding “26 slaughtered at Texas church” (Page A1, Nov. 6), mass shootings always elicit calls for strict gun control. The National Rifle Association and conservative groups are cited as responsible for the lack of strict gun control. This infers much more power to these groups than they actually have.

The reason strict gun control is not law is the Second Amendment to the Constitution explicitly gives the people the right to keep and bear arms. Laws calling for strict gun control have been passed and subsequently repealed, not because of opposition by the NRA but because courts, including the Supreme Court, have found them unconstitutional, like in Washington, D.C.

Instead of pointing at the NRA, groups that want strict gun control should embark on the much tougher job of amending the Constitution. Failure to do so reveals a political motivation rather a true desire for gun control. But it would be wise to first think through why the Second Amendment is in the Constitution.

The Declaration of Independence states at length the tyranny of unchecked government. History is full of examples. Tom Wachs, Houston