Letter to the Editor: Lance Should Support Some Gun Control

Dear Congressman Lance,    

In 1791, the Second Amendment to the Constitution was adopted to enable American settlers to bear arms for the defense of the country, their property and personal security. Rifles and pistols were muzzle loaders with single shots. Seventy years later, Gatling sold the first rapid-fire gun to the Union Army with claims to cut force size, reduce combat deaths and show the futility of war.

Gatling’s assertions proved to be wrong. The gun industry has since expanded to the personal marketing of advanced sophisticated weapons that were created for military use in multiple wars. Today, we’re besieged with automatic and semi-automatic assault guns that are capable of killing myriad people instantly, if in the hands of the wrong users. As a Marine Rifle and Pistol Expert who was trained to defend our country, I see no need for individuals to retain assault weapons and high-capacity ammunition magazines. Such internet sales should be banned to all buyers. 

Further, I oppose the availability of all guns to anyone who has been convicted of a felony or has a history of mental illness. Prospective buyers should provide background checks, licensing verification by reliable witnesses, and a sustained waiting period for any gun or ammunition purchases. Only fully qualified users should be permitted to fire any weapon. 

The provisions of the Second Amendment can still prevail effectively by limiting the type of weapons that are available for self-defense and hunting and by legally qualifying the users. Your support is requested for appropriate legislation. 

Respectfully, 

Rich Madden,
Summit Council President,
United States Naval Academy Honor Guard Representative to the President at the White House,
Captain, United States Marine Corps, Commanding Officer, Btry A, 1st LAAM Battalion, FMFMBA,

Harvard Graduate School of Business Administration,

CEO, Adidas USA, Inc.