The Second Amendment was enacted in 1787 first to empower plantation owners to suppress any uprising from the slaves they owned.

Second, we needed to have an already armed populace to “assist” the federal government defending our country against invasions.

In 1789, the word “country” was replaced with “states,” allowing liberty. Still today, the federal government trumps over state laws or constitutions.

In 1791, the Bill of Rights guaranteed individual ownership of guns.

It’s an established right to own a gun and a privilege to use it for hunting, target shooting and protection of property.

Today, slavery is outlawed and the British are not coming. We hold elections or impeach to control government.

We have a well-organized and capable military to protect our country.

David Trahan, executive director of the Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine (Compass, Jan. 17), belittles himself and his members to the level of Honey Boo Boo by asking the silly question that if the gunman at Stony Brook had used an automobile instead of a gun, would we be considering a ban on automobiles?

Such only vilifies the illusionary and misleading thoughts the National Rifle Associations and others are creating to enhance fear and exploit others, same as a cult. Jets were not banned after 9-11; tougher regulations were imposed.

Regulations exist everywhere and with everything.

From oversized soda drinks to cyanide, rules and laws are there to regulate. Bullets and guns are not exempt. Only minorities like the NRA, SAM and others use words such as banning or prohibition, only for exploitation.

Denis M. Rioux

Winslow

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