Re: The Optimist, Sept. 15 “Expiration of gun ban won’t change much” editorial

The Sept. 15 Editorial regarding the assault weapons ban is positive in tone and I applaud the Board for their arguments.

There is one exception, however. The paragraph that states: “Making it more difficult-while still adhering to the Second Amendment-for people to purchase any firearm will go a long way toward keeping any dangerous gun out of the hands of criminals instead of keeping one type of gun out of the hands of all citizens.”

First, all firearms should be considered dangerous at all times and handled accordingly. This is the first rule of gun safety. As one Texas Ranger says, “If it wasn’t dangerous, I wouldn’t be carrying it.”

Second, how would the public’s safety come about from making the process of procuring a legal firearm more difficult for law abiding citizenry and thus “go a long way toward keeping … guns out of the hands of criminals”? No law, past or present, has ever hindered a determined criminal from obtaining a firearm (or any other kind of weapon) to be used in the commission of a crime. A criminal is defined as one who breaks the law. Passing more laws only results in more penalties at the time of prosecution. Therefore, prosecution should be the focus-something the Clinton Administration, former Attorney General Janet Reno, and the current Democratic Party leaders failed to grasp-then and now.

Last, I would like to see ACU become the first D-II private school in Texas to offer a competitive shooting program. Students, what do you say?

Troy Stirman
senior development officer
Development Office