A recent letter-writer produced a cogent, clear and accurate historical reference to the carrying of concealed and loaded weapons in public places. The Second Amendment permitted a well-regulated militia and the right of the people to bear arms largely in consideration of the tattered remnants of citizen-soldiers of the Continental Army.

Our fledgling country was in a different time and place when the Second Amendment was passed; it needed citizen-soldiers. It is very unlikely the Congress of 1781 was able to comprehend the carrying of weapons into malls and stores and public gatherings of any kind just because a gun nut thinks it might keep him safe in societal situations he is by his own actions making unsafe.

Another letter-writer wants “facts to support the condemnation” of concealed weapons in public places and examples of incidents involving guns in public places. How about this one: a local gun nut discharged his loaded and concealed handgun in the local Walmart. By the grace of God no one was hit, but he undeniably put Walmart customers in jeopardy. Discharging a loaded gun in a public place, accidental or intentional, should have disqualified him from ever owning a handgun again. I hope it did. Careless persons with no better sense than to carry a loaded gun into a public place are a danger to the public.

No one who is not a law enforcement professional should be permitted to carry a gun in public places. No one who is not on a police department Special Weapons and Tactics team should be allowed access to an assault rifle. Hunters do not need assault weapons, and gangs should not have access to them. Any person in possession of an assault weapon should be arrested on site.

When The Daily Advance recently took an informal poll of six residents regarding stricter gun laws limiting gun purchase and use, five of six local residents polled were in favor of stricter gun laws. Yes, let the people decide. And when they do, we will have saner gun laws.

MARTHA A. JOHNSONSFlbElizabeth City