Joe Blow not G.I. Joe

Re: Civilians Guarding Military, July 23. U.S. gun makers keep pouring out their toxic products for civilian sale, it will be yet another windfall for them should all military recruitment centres have to be armed. Such are the wages of a country in which less than eight per cent of all the military-style firearms are in the hands of the military and police. The fact any Joe Blow can walk around with weapons once reserved for G.I. Joe contributes mightily to the need the NSA feels to spy on all American citizens, since it’s never easy to predict just which gun owners harbour delusions or malice.

Ron Charach, Toronto.