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Gun control is feel-good legislation
TO THE EDITORS:
I have been a life member of the NRA for 50 years, more or less, and I also was an active competitive shooter for most of my adult life. I watched the news conference and Meet the Press appearance of Wayne LaPierre and was appalled at his arrogant demeanor at both.
He did nothing but harm to the already tarnished image that many Americans have of the NRA. His recommendation of the "good guy/bad guy'' idea of providing armed security to schools was about as badly presented as I can imagine and aroused a firestorm of ridicule as expected.
That said, it is interesting to read that many school districts and states already are considering and implementing some form of armed security, including some in Pennsylvania. It will, as he said, give a significant measure of instant protection. It is not a perfect system and each school has to do what is right for them. It is also predictable that the gun abolitionists, like Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Cal., will immediately propose legislation banning so-called assault rifles and high-capacity magazines.
Sen. Bob Casey has already signed on supporting this type of legislation. The Bushmaster AR-15 type rifle used by the killer at Sandy Hook is the basic rifle used by thousands of competitive shooters each week at structured competitions in the U.S. Saying it has no use other than killing people is absolutely untrue.
Many companies make similar rifles and many are extensively modified for competitive shooting. Banning their sale will accomplish nothing.
Actually with a little practice, a magazine change can be made in a matter of seconds. We do it all the time in competition. If Dianne Feinstein and others have their way and a gun and magazine ban is passed by Congress, they can all rub their hands and feel good that they are solving the problem. That is all it is, feel good legislation.
Don Misselhorn
East Lampeter Township
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