Bob Stammerjohan: Ex-Marine agrees, we need sensible gun-control laws
Re “I shoot; I served; I grieve ... now I want to talk about guns” (Page 1B, Oct. 8): As a retired school administrator, ex-Marine and former law enforcement officer (both police and probation), I totally agree with Tracy Luegge’s op-ed about gun control. He showed a lot of courage and intelligence.
Our lack of adequate gun control laws and the unbelievable influence of the NRA are outrageous and absurd. Few people know that the 2nd Amendment reads: “A well-regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.” This does not in any way imply that no reasonable restrictions can be placed on the rights of individuals to possess whatever number and kinds of firearms they wish.
The United States has the highest percentage of gun ownership in the world as well as the highest death rate from firearms. I have a pistol, rifle and shotgun and I totally support strict gun-control laws – even if it means that I have to get a reasonable permit to retain these weapons.
Bob Stammerjohan, Turlock
This story was originally published October 10, 2017 at 11:38 AM with the headline "Bob Stammerjohan: Ex-Marine agrees, we need sensible gun-control laws."