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Guns made to kill

To the editor,

In response to the letter by Ben Tanner, published on February 10th: I agree with Mr. Tanner, gun ownership is important to Americans, it is part of the American psyche, it is ingrained in us. Gun ownership is important for a number of reasons that have been stated numerous times in the Wildcat and elsewhere. I do not believe it is necessary to repeat them.

However, it is also undeniable that guns are meant to kill, without distinction of species or gender. The essence of guns is to kill. Even when we say guns are sport and that they promotes responsibility and respect in children, it all comes back to that simple fact. It is also clear that a significant number of gun owners and distributors are not responsible people. Otherwise, we would not have thousands of guns on the streets.

So let us not lie to ourselves.

I could shower you with examples of irresponsible gun owners and ask you where all the guns being used on violent crimes are coming from, etc. Those arguments have also been sufficiently stated. Besides, we know where all the guns are coming from: irresponsible gun owners and unscrupulous gun distributors.

It is time that we move beyond useless finger pointing and promote gun ownership with true responsibility and accountability. Let us enforce the laws on the books, and let us close any loopholes on the law so that criminals have absolutely no direct access to firearms. Let us create a gun tracking system that works, so that we know who is selling the guns to criminals. In this way, we, the law-abiding citizens, can enjoy our right to keep and bear arms and we can keep the guns out of the hands of criminals.

As far as the hypothetical put forth by Mr. Tanner about the government instating a 30-year prison term for those who oppose federal drug policy, there is only one word to describe it: silly.

Roberto Mendoza

Political Science Junior