In response to a letter by Peter Sirois on Feb. 23, “Constitution contains out-of-date portions,” I offer the following for consideration.

When considering the right to keep and bear arms in Maine, one should look first to our own Constitution, which states clearly and unambiguously in Section 16, “Every citizen has a right to keep and bear arms and this right shall never be questioned.”

Please note that there is no confusing additional clause referring to a militia. Additionally one should look at Section 1: “All people are born equally free and independent, and have certain natural, inherent and unalienable rights, among which are those of enjoying and defending life and liberty, acquiring, possessing and protecting property …”

Sirois also mentions the U.S. Constitution Second Amendment referring to a “well regulated militia,” clearly not having a clue as to the meaning of regulated when this was written. It meant drilled or trained.

Perhaps those who attack the civil rights of Mainers as Mr. Sirois has attempted to do should take their own advice and read our own Constitution.

Richard Smith

Litchfield