End the Gun Epidemic in America
This editorial published on A1 in the Dec. 5 edition of The New York Times. It is the first time an editorial has appeared on the front page since 1920.
And, the naiveté expressed by the writer(s) of the noted article illustrates the underlying cause of hoplophobia. Lack of respect equals lack of knowledge, and vice versa.
The writer(s) of the editorial consider it "a moral outrage and national disgrace that civilians can legally purchase weapons designed to kill people with brutal speed and efficiency." Really? Is it really a moral outrage that an innocent law-abiding citizen or police officer can legally purchase the tools necessary to defend themselves from the likes of Syed Farook and Tashfeen Malik? And, what about the need to kill dangerous animals (the four legged kind); does the writer think that the guns used for that application are somehow less powerful than the guns used to kill terrorists?
I would guess that the writer(s) of this article have never had the opportunity to attend a firearm safety course, or learn anything about the subject of firearms. Apparently, they are just scared of guns, in which case the best thing for them to do is to keep their hands off and refrain from projecting their fear and ignorance.
It is true that a breakdown of moral discipline has led to many abuses, but the right to keep and bear arms is one of the principal civil rights that we possess in this country, and for the New York Times to advocate against that right, and publish it on their front page, is amazingly naive.
/fl