Dear Editor:
My father graduated from Annapolis Naval Academy and served in World War II as Commander on a Battleship in the Pacific Ocean. He taught us proper care and use of firearms when we were growing up in Colorado Springs. I accompanied him on hunting trips in Colorado in my youth. My husband served during two wars as captain of fighter plane squadrons and then served at Area 51, a top secret military research installation.
I became aware of homeland terrorism and violence when my brother- in- law was working at Columbine High School in Denver as a teacher 20 years ago, and the massacre occurred there, which destroyed so many lives. Crime has gotten so much worse; domestic violence, single parents having to work and are unable to supervise their adolescents’ activities are the norm. Angry, homeless, hungry, uneducated, and jobless people have multiplied everywhere across the country.
My husband who was a member of National Rifle Association, advised me to have protection with me because I was self-employed and traveled. I have had a PCCW for much of my adult life. When I first moved to Pagosa Springs I inquired about a shooting range and was told that there was none; “We just go out in the hills and practice shooting.”
I agree with the remark, “Guns don’t kill people—people do. People need to be brought up to be responsible.” That’s the point. Unfortunately, the reality is something else. We can’t just blame the problems on any specific group of people or immigrants. In many countries it is unlawful for civilians to have firearms. We fuss about increasing taxes to cover police and facilities, courts, and prisons. Better education and accurate records of ownership of weapons could reduce monetary and emotional costs to the people.
Any law abiding citizen should not need an automatic assault weapon. If you have one, please take the training required and apply for a license. Someone who resents complying with common sense laws probably has subversive and criminal intent. People who get defensive about their 2nd Amendment rights to bear arms, need to read carefully the amendment and the recent law proposed.
Nobody is banning anybody’s rights to protect family and property. Everyone is entitled to feel safe in their community and their home. We should feel thankful to have the freedoms we have. In colonial times there were no telephones, running water or electricity. Roads need to be built. Taxes pay for public works by employing local workers. We have access to resources that are privileges because of a system of cooperation.
I consider paying taxes my contribution to society. With freedom comes the responsibility to be true Americans. If jobs were provided for more people, they wouldn’t have to steal for food and shelter. It is written in scripture ‘to be charitable, kind, and giving to your fellow man.’
Blessings,
Judith Jubb
