Resort to Welcome Gun Enthusiasts
* Re “A Planned Community for the Gun Enthusiast,” Dec. 13: State Sen. Don Perata (D-Alameda) and Luis Tolley (western director of Handgun Control), who oppose our nation’s 2nd Amendment rights, still don’t get it. While they applaud law-abiding citizens such as schoolteachers and ministers moving their assault weapons out of the state [to Pahrump, Nev.], this will not deter gun violence. These people purchased these weapons to protect themselves against violent criminals, not to commit crimes.
Furthermore, Perata’s comment that “if we can get those people with unusual adoration of firearms to live . . . in another state--I’m even happier” is offensive. These people who are leaving California have not committed any crimes. They have been some of the most productive people in our state. Simply owning an assault weapon does not make one a menace to society. Those who do not respect the rights of others and who seek to inflict violence on other people are the ones we should be targeting.
It is easier to blame legally registered gun owners our government can easily identify than it is to blame violent criminals who have obtained guns illegally, whom the government cannot identify.
RODNEY GUYTON
Torrance
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I really enjoyed the article about the new resort/gun-focused activity community in Nevada. Why shouldn’t gun aficionados have a resort that gives them a chance to enjoy their sport at each and every opportunity?
The shooting sports are every bit as legitimate leisure-time pursuits as golf, tennis, bowling, swimming, skiing, etc. (Did you know that the shooting disciplines have long been Olympic events and that traditionally the first medal awarded in every summer Olympics is one in shooting?)
The private ownership of firearms makes the United States unique among most nations of the world. With the proper training, instruction and supervision, the legal, lawful use of firearms should be encouraged among our population. At a minimum, it would help reduce the number of accidental injuries and deaths caused by firearm-related incidents. It would enable children to know the proper procedure to observe when they discover a firearm that is not locked in a gun safe.
MICHAEL NICKOLOFF
Los Angeles