Some gun limits are necessary

To the editor

By:
   Until recently, weapons used for grand arson were illegal and rather difficult to purchase.
   On April 20, 1999, two students at Columbine High School in Colorado killed 12 students and one teacher before committing suicide with an assault rifle that was illegal at the time of the shooting.
   Since then, the ban on weapons used in that attack has expired making it legal to own assault weapons. Weapons made for the sole purpose of killing or injuring a human being should be illegal for citizens to own.
   Decades ago an assault weapon outlaw was issued to disallow citizens from being able to purchase military-type weapons. The law had various problems and therefore was not effective. Rightfully, it made it illegal to purchase a multitude of guns which were used for not other purpose other than shooting humans; however, it did not bar all guns made to harm humans. One reason the ban did not work is because it allowed numerous guns which are similar to the outlawed ones to remain on the shelves.
   If people wanted a weapon equivalent to one that is restricted, all they had to do was buy a different brand. Another flaw with the law was that it also made several hunting weapons illegal as well. Making guns that are made to kill human’s illegal is a sensible thing to do, but it only works if the correct firearms are prohibited.
   Because the former legislation was not worthy of being renewed, it is now legal for an average citizen to purchase an unnecessarily powerful weapon which is far more lethal than anything a hunter would use to shoot a deer or any other type of game. The current administration feels the gun regulation was ineffective and therefore should not be renewed. They are right to not renew the old ban due to its many flaws; however, a better statute should be written and used instead.
   If America wants to truly accomplish its goals with a firearms limitation, we must disallow all guns of a particular type, not just particular band. Also, we must not try to disallow guns that should not be prohibited.
   It is only logical to ban any weapons which serve no purpose for hunting but only a purpose for destroying or ending human life. There is no reason why a semi-automatic assault rifle would be necessary to own. I believe if removing all unnecessarily powerful weapons can save one life, it is worth the trouble. It is our responsibility as Americans to create a society where everyone can feel safe and not have to worry about the assault weapons that a criminal can buy at the gun counter at any local sporting goods store, but it is also our duty to stand up for the constitutional right to have arms.
   Some guns must be banned, but others must stay on the shelves.

Adam Walzer
Hillsborough High School