Gun-licensing mandate an affront to our rights

Comparing guns to cars is a common and seductive but subtle error of logic.

If it makes sense to license drivers and register cars, then it would make sense to license pilots and register airplanes. And we do. That’s parallel logic.

However, if it makes sense to license gun owners and register guns, then it would make sense to license writers and register printing presses. That would be parallel logic, too. But we don’t do that, because that doesn’t make sense. That’s because those are rights, and government has no legitimate power to license your rights.

So, why would an honest writer object to having a license? Most reporters I know can’t answer that question, which explains why so many support “universal registration” — they understand the issue very poorly. I’ll answer it for you.

If you must pass a government test, pay a tax called a “fee,” get fingerprinted, photographed, listed in the criminal database and carry around your card with an expiration date to publish an article, or else go to prison, that’s flat out wrong. Licensing and registering freedom is tyrannical, assaults the innocent and serves no legitimate purpose in America. That’s why.

— Alan Korwin, Scottsdale The writer is author of “The Arizona Gun Owner’s Guide.”

Embrace tourist crowds

Tourist season is in full swing. Our roads are more crowded, longer waits at stores and restaurants, lots of action at Scottsdale Airport, and more people on our trails are just a few signs that winter residents and tourists are here.

However, rather than resenting any of this, we should embrace it. Tourists not only boost our economy, they make our city sustainable.

The income from tourism makes up for the loss the city incurs from other development and helps pay for all the services and amenities we have while keeping our sales tax low — in fact, one of the lowest rates in the Valley. All the events we have here are not only enjoyable to attend, they boost tourism and our economy even more.

So next time you are in line or frustrated because of the traffic, think of all the benefits these folks bring to us and our city. We should embrace tourists and make them feel welcome and appreciated, because they are helping us achieve the high quality of life we enjoy here.

— Howard Myers,

Scottsdale

Give funds to academics

Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction John Huppenthal recently made an impassioned plea to the House Education Committee to give him $35 million for the creation of a new computer system for the Department of Education. As a K-12 educator for over 40 years, I only wish that his plea was for something that would actually help students.

Money for reading, math or other academic programs comes to mind. Or, perhaps, funds for something as basic as making sure that every K-12 school in the state has enough paper so that parent-teacher or- ganizations don’t have to beg parents to donate it to their child’s school.

— Fred Barlam, Phoenix

Valley kindness abounds

I thank the people of the Valley of the Sun.

I am handicapped, use a cane and walk with some difficulty. I am consistently shown the compassion that the people have here. Whether it is as simple as holding a door open or helping reach for an item on an upper shelf, there is no shortage of these courtesies.

I truly appreciate it each and every time someone goes out of their way to help ease the way for myself or anyone that is physically challenged. We may be a city of strangers, but I am constantly shown how neighborly we actually are.

— Robert Ashcraft,

Phoenix

Heroes without weapons

There were three “good guys” without guns at the office-complex shooting last month in Phoenix.

Without any regard for their personal safety — and unarmed — Wade Thomas, a maintenance worker at Phoenix Peak; Oscar Bejar, another employee at Phoenix Peak; and Debbie Carmichael, an employee of MD Home Health, a tenant of the building, all sprang into action, not knowing where or if the gunman would return.

Thomas and Carmichael attended to the shooting victims, and Bejar pursued the shooter. To the three “good guys” without guns, thank you for your courage.

— Judy Karchelmeyer,

Surprise