Gary McNett: Analyzing the allure of an AR-15 with lots of bullets

Re “Sheriff, don’t try to take my high-capacity magazine” (Page 1D, July 17): I was amused and disturbed by the column. The writer is identified as a “behavior analyst,” and yet he fails to correctly analyze his own behavior. He admits that both society and his wife are correct, that he doesn’t need an AR-15 and a bunch of bullets. But he rationalizes having them with the bizarre thought, “With a fully loaded AR-15 in your hands, a feeling of power and even peace washes over me ... these rifles whisper, ‘I defend. With me, you can protect everything that matters.’”

When trouble comes, it usually comes quickly and often away from our homes. Does he sleep with his loaded AR-15 and take it with him everywhere he goes? And even if a threat does approach slowly, having the biggest gun is more likely to make you the target; those high-capacity magazines do not make you bulletproof. If you think an assault rifle and a lot of bullets will ultimately protect you and your family, you’re kidding yourself. But you’re not fooling us. This sounds more like a “fear of castration complex.” But your gun isn’t likely to whisper that to you.

This story was originally published July 21, 2016 at 5:44 PM with the headline "Gary McNett: Analyzing the allure of an AR-15 with lots of bullets."