Editor,
The last two issues of the Whidbey New-Times have printed Ed Hickey, and Larry Larson’s concerns about their Second Amendment rights. Let’s give the Second Amendment some perspective.
The intent of our forefathers was to establish some protections without a standing military or police force yet established in our country. On May 8, 1792, a uniformed militia was established and this is what was required:
“Each and every free able-bodied white male citizen of the respective States, resident therein, who is or shall be of age of 18 years, and under the age of 45 years — except as is herein after excepted — shall severally and respectively be enrolled in the militia and every citizen so enrolled and notified, shall, within six months thereafter, provide himself with a good musket or firelock, a sufficient bayonet and belt, two spare flints, and a knapsack, a pouch with a box therein to contain not less than 24 cartridges, suited to the bore of his musket or firelock, each cartridge to contain a proper quantity of powder and ball: or with a good rifle, knapsack, shot-pouch and powder-horn, twenty balls suited to the bore of his rifle and a quarter of a pound of powder; and shall appear, so armed, accoutred and provided, when called out to exercise, or into service, except, that when called out on company days to exercise only, he may appear without a knapsack.”
Fast forward to present, we now have one of the largest military forces in the world plus a well trained police force.
I ask Ed and Larry, do we now need to arm all of our citizenry with military style weapons? Ed talks about millions of high-capacity magazines already in the hands of people. What is the purpose? Do they think a mob is going to descend upon their homes.
He states that other countries are giving lawless free reign over defenseless people. Has he compared the murder rate in those countries over what he suggests is not common sense in our country. 2015 in this country; 12,223 killed by guns; 24,722 injured by guns.
This is a problem that we all need to come to terms with.
Calling out people who believe differently is not the answer. Continuing to give people like Ed and Larry free reign on their fears of their neighbors, their community, their country takes away my right to feel safe.
Our children have to go to armed schools, we already have enough metal detectors to protect us and I have to worry about someone stealing Ed and Larry’s stock piles of guns. If they think arming everyone is a better solution then conversation, respect and consensus.
Might they get angry enough to pull the trigger on what they call those Leftist, Progressives, Democrats that are causing all their problems, just to prove their point?
Millie Fonda
Coupeville
