Editor,

In response to Larry Larson’s excellent letter “If one Constitutional right is taken, why not take all,” on Wednesday, April 4, 2018, I would like to add to it.

The Second Amendment was so important for the protection of the citizenry that it came right after freedom of speech and religion. Its purpose, then, and as important now, is to protect citizens from a tyrannical government, by armed force if it ever becomes necessary, such as did happen during our revolution and today, for the right of self-protection.

We have uninformed, biased citizenry clamoring to repeal this important protection because of abuse of firearms by deranged people. Unable to repeal it due to strong opposition, Leftists, Progressives, Democrats — you pick one — are working on the fringes of the amendment, trying to pass overly restrictive laws on law-abiding gun use, ownership, purchasing, trying to restrict magazine size, the age one is allowed to buy a gun, heavily taxing them, in some cases denying permits to law-abiding citizens and promoting outright confiscation. Why?

Any shooting of innocent people is a tragedy but to take away means of all citizen’s self-protection right , as Australia and Great Britain have done, is giving the lawless free reign over defenseless people. Chicago is a good example of overly restrictive gun laws and high murder rates where only the criminals seem to have guns.

It worked with Hitler, Stalin, Chavez in Venezuela and other dictators. Leftists loudly proclaim everyone wants “common sense” gun laws, but only common sense to themselves. Restricting a magazine to 10 rounds curbs nothing when another 10 round magazine can be rapidly changed out.

Additionally there are millions of high-capacity magazines already in the hands of law-abiding citizens who are loath to give them up. Gun registration has never solved a crime but sure tells Leftists who has them for later confiscation if they get their way in the future.

Protect your important Second Amendment right as strongly as you protect all of your others.

Without the Second Amendment the rest can be rendered worthless and the Leftists are trying. Notice the attacks on free speech and religion anyone? The NRA strongly promotes gun safety and every young person should be taught that, not hate guns, but understand and respect them.

Ed Hickey

Oak Harbor