Bill Wood: Instead of gun control, reinstate the draft
We have an all-volunteer military. When the economy is in decline, jobs are hard to find and the U.S. Army can raise its standards and easily fill the ranks. When unemployment is low the Army cannot meet its goals.
Today, the Army is unable to meet its recruiting needs. As a result, standards for new enlistees have been lowered. That means young people who would have been refused enlistment will now be allowed to serve. Considering the rash of mass shooting, more young men with problems will be receiving high-quality training in weapons use. No efforts by liberals to limit the supply of weapons will keep them out of their hands after discharge.
President Nixon canceled the draft because of the huge demonstrations against the Vietnam War. For many reasons the draft should be reinstated and young men would once again be drafted into the Army to serve by protecting our country. At least the young men with problems would not be getting quality weapons training. Our elected political official would never have the courage to restore the draft. They will be able to pass all manner of useless ineffective weapons-control laws.
Bill Wood, Oakdale
This story was originally published November 27, 2017 at 3:37 PM with the headline "Bill Wood: Instead of gun control, reinstate the draft."