Why they were 'Minute Men'

The most potent argument for banning the private possession of rapid-fire assault weapons and extended capacity ammunition clips comes from the National Rifle Association itself. Proclaiming that its mission is to defend the Second Amendment, the NRA's favorite poster child, memorably portrayed by Charlton Heston defiantly hoisting a gun overhead, is the Minute Man.

Repeat: Minute Man. When the Second Amendment was being framed, it allowed the militia to bear arms that the best of the American rebels took a minute to fire, reload and fire again.

The Sandy Hook killer fired a reported 130 rounds. A Minute Man would have taken over two hours — a minute per bullet — to match that total.

Proposed legislation to restrict assault weapons and high capacity ammunition clips does not seem at all unreasonable.

KATHERINE CONROTTO

Modesto