After reading the letters on Mirror's opinion page on Friday, Feb. 15, I question if Ms. Rita Fornwalt and/or Mr. Coyle had read what they had written.
I continue to read and hear in the news about reduction of firearms, ammo clips, etc.
The Second Amendment guarantees ownership of guns. As with everything over the years, items have become more complex, improved and available. This includes firearms.
A concern we should address is people who have a problem. It could be mental or physical. He/she feels that it just cannot be corrected or healed by the traditional means.
Currently, our society is so much different and more difficult than just a few decades ago - horrific, violent, video games, TV violence, social media or face-to-face bullying, loss or lack of Biblical direction, misdirected anger or an unknown reason.
It's very easy to get lost in today's society. The shooters seem to want some attention and/or to solve a problem.
The shooter may know only violence as a solution.
It is necessary, citizens (especially friends or relatives or co-employees) who notice a person or persons seeming to have a problem that could result in violence, to please help that person to seek treatment or as difficult as it may be - report it to the police.
There is a necessity of the firearms being locked and available to the owner only.
Confiscating the guns would probably be considered theft since the Second Amendment guarantees our right as citizens of a free United States to own firearms. There would probably other laws broken.
I believe writer Coyle needs some help with the thoughts and terms he used his opportunity to write, "Gun lover thrills."
Does he really think that gun lovers feel a relationship with their firearms? We do not "fondle" our guns.
We don't get a thrill when we go to the range for practice. We do not assault the target. We shoot a few, be sure the gun chambers are open, call for a clear target range, check the target, and return. We don't use multi-ammo clip guns to hunt or target shooting or just to sight the gun. Usually, the range rules are followed by everyone.
I took the PA Game Hunter's course. I had lessons to shoot. I was taught how to care for my gun. The majority of us - recreational shooters and hunters - follow the rules.
Sharon Finocchio
Altoona
