Banning ‘assault rifles’ won’t solve anything Read more online

In response to Mr. Philip Shailer’s March 13 viewpoint, I would like to respond. I am retired law enforcement and was a weapons instructor for the State of New York. AR-15 was our state issued rifle. Banning “assault rifles” will accomplish nothing.

An assault rifle is defined as being a semi-automatic design rifle and having a pistol grip and a flash suppressor with an ammo magazine. A hunting rifle is of a similar design and lethality, having no pistol grip or flash suppressor, the only real differences. I am not a member of the NRA or a supporter. I do believe we can make some improvements in gun control. Banning a particular weapon will have no effect on our safety, when other substitute weapons are readily available. Banning all rifles will never happen.

No purchases under 21, all gun sales requiring background checks, no private sales of firearms without going through a background check. These are commonsense rules we can all live with.

There are over 350 million guns in our nation; if guns were really the problem, we would all be dead. An evil person who wants to kill and cause mayhem will not be deterred by an assault weapons ban. Look for the cultural reason as to why these individuals exist among us. SunSentinel.com/ opinion/letters

Not only would it affect the TV schedule, but it also would affect everyone who has to be at work at 7 a.m., which is most hospital employees and doctors offices.

I hate having to get up, even now, and it is still dark outside. It doesn’t make you feel good. Not many seniors are able to sleep late anymore, and when we get up we like to see a bright, sunny day.

Don’t forget, the young children who go to school at 6:30 a.m. It is scary and unsafe enough for them to have to do this these few months, but to have to do it all winter long is asking too much. Even for seniors, early birds would feel like it was just lunchtime.

I am 100 percent against this and I hope that others agree with me and maybe we can convince the politicians in Tallahassee that this is not a good idea all around.