The National Rifle Association and gun manufacturers have convinced Congress and a large percentage of the American people that the Second Amendment is the solution to the killings we read about daily in our newspapers.
But this is not so.
Article 1, Section 8, of the Constitution says that Congress is to “provide for the common Defense and general Welfare of the United States.”
When written, that power applied to the protection of the people from an invasion from foreign armed forces, such as a return of the British Redcoats.
In today’s world, it applies to any armed killers, whether they are foreign or domestic.
And, clearly, the daily killings across our country are domestic. Congress has a duty to protect us from the killers.
Congress cannot march Army troops against the killers. They are not easily identified before they pull the trigger of a handgun or assault weapon. Police forces cannot arrest them before they shoot and kill.
Therefore, the only way to protect us and our children from these killers is to pass a law banning the manufacture, sale and possession by ordinary citizens of handguns and assault weapons.
This would keep them out of the hands of killers.
The Second Amendment does not give these domestic killers the right to bear arms, any more than it gives foreign invaders that right.
Hand-held explosives are “arms,” and no one would object to keeping them out of the hands of or off the bodies of suicide bombers from the Middle East.
Handguns and assault weapons are no different.
James McNenny
Stow
Bring peanuts to the ballpark
The Peanut Shoppe on South Main Street in Akron has been in business since the 1930s.
Shouldn’t this loyal business that has supported the city of Akron for more than 80 years be given the opportunity to sell its top-quality peanuts at the Akron Aeros games?
Ken Babby, the new owner of the Aeros, asked for opinions on what can be done to improve the Akron Aeros.
The Akron Aeros stadium in downtown Akron is an asset to this area. Families really enjoy attending these games and supporting our team. Let’s reciprocate by supporting our local business.
Bonnie Farrance
Cuyahoga Falls
Drone dilemma
The Republicans no doubt have a conundrum on their hands over drone strikes.
First, they’re probably ecstatic that the (allegedly) “liberal-biased media” are blasting President Obama over reports that drones are allowed to kill Americans.
But they probably want to keep quiet the fact that it is under standards that they heartily endorsed during the Bush years that suspected al-Qaida members are being killed, without undeniable proof.
Still, it is to the Republicans’ benefit that the American people are attacking President Obama.
Then again, what else could explode the Republicans’ heads more than the fact that it is the American Civil Liberties Union that is calling the president out on this?
Ernest Michaels
Cuyahoga Falls
