Colonial folks couldn’t have cannons; we shouldn’t have assault weapons

Assault rifles akin to colonial-era cannons

It helps now and then to step back and take a long view. Two hundred-plus years ago when the Founding Fathers crafted the Second Amendment only cannons had the power to inflict mass casualties. Today, assault rifles possess that same devastating power.

I find it impossible to believe the Founding Fathers had in mind that ordinary citizens should have the right to own and use cannons.

This is simple: ban assault rifles.

Assault weapons too powerful for public

Perhaps one solution to the proliferation of assault-style firearms is to put them in the hands of more people. Invite the public, and especially legislators, to a firing range where they can experience how a novice might be able to handle them.

There should be a few bills at the next legislative session.

Stop lying about automatic weapons

Forum writer John S. Butler incorrectly suggests the weapons available to the public are the same weapons he carried in combat in Vietnam. This is an out and out lie; those weapons were fully automatic and fully automatic weapons have been illegal to purchase or own in this country for over a hundred years.

I also am a veteran and it sickens me to see someone of Mr. Butler’s stature as a veteran disseminating erroneous information to the public in order to attempt to negate the precepts of the Second Amendment.

For shame, Mr. Butler.

Where would the gun-grabbing end?

I do not understand why anyone needs a weapon that looks like an assault weapon, but see no reason to make them illegal. I have a fear that once given permission our government would expand the restriction to meet whatever criteria they feel appropriate.

Our Founding Fathers insisted on the Bill of Rights before they would agree upon our Constitution. They felt that the right to bear arms was important enough to make it the Second Amendment. (Keep in mind the flintlock musket was the military weapon at that time and was not banned.)

Cancel the I-77 toll lanes contract

Governor: CRTPO did not reaffirm the I-77 Managed Lane project at its Jan 20, 2016 meeting. As per your request, CRTPO confirmed only the strategy of managed care lanes for the Charlotte metropolitan area.

I agree there can be a proper role for managed lanes. But if this project and subsequent contract with Cintra was the best your NCDOT could do, you should have changed strategy. Please cancel the contract now. Businesses and families are already leaving the Lake Norman area.

Face it, Republicans: Trump reflects you

I understand why George Will has left the GOP to join our unaffiliated ranks. But let’s be clear – Donald Trump is the mirror image of the ugly part of the party. It was not Trump who waged war on the rights of LGBT citizens and black and student voters and environmental protections.

The GOP has stood firmly against better gun control, better immigration laws and recognizing the impact of climate change. Even if Trump were not a horrible candidate, he is representing a party that looks more like him than not.

Finally, some attacks on progressives

While reading the Observer this morning I had to check the front page to see if in fact it was the Observer! They finally found time to look into the transparency issues with regard to Hillary Clinton.

Nice to see some aspects of fairness in the Observer for a change!

This story was originally published June 27, 2016 at 5:58 PM with the headline "Colonial folks couldn’t have cannons; we shouldn’t have assault weapons."