Editor, Smithfield Times

I take exception to “Our Forum” and your viewpoints of our 2^nd Amendment. Our State senators, delegate’s and law abiding folks deserve better than to be denigrated because you disagree with their political views and current gun laws.

I’m sure, most felons prefer familiar surroundings like their neighborhoods or friends for acquiring guns. Straw purchasing of firearms is illegal in all 50 States. The gun show loophole has been bounced around by the left wing political party since the ’90s, and they want to make a transfer from father-to-son, brother-to-brother etc., illegal. It’s already against the law to knowingly transfer a firearm to commit a criminal act. Enforce the existing laws.

The mass shootings in our country usually have one thing in common: only the “Evil Doers” have a gun. Most locations have been selected because they are soft targets, commonly known as “gun free zones.” Sound familiar?

By the way, the 1994 Assault Weapons Ban, was a Farce, though it did triple the prices on some guns manufactured prior to the ban, which were legal.

One gun a month law was just one of many “infringements” that confirm the old saying, “a gun is like a parachute, if you need one and don’t have one, you’ll never need one again.” If a criminal or terrorists shows up in your neighborhood, they don’t need to buy a weapon, they will just take yours, unless you stop them.

The 9-11 “Islamic terrorists or radical Muslims”(not demonizing, just identifying the enemy), used box cutters and turned airliners into weapons. What’s next, a ban on all gas canisters, knives, hatchets, ball bats, tire irons and box cutters? Think about it.

During military service in the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s, I don’t recall anyone telling me, that they wanted to infringe on my 2^nd Amendment Rights. Funny how that works. Laws mean nothing to the Bad Guys as they will always find a way to arm themselves.

Earle B. Southard Jr.
Smithfield