Gun owner says we need to restrict assault weapons in U.S.

I am an gun owner who believes that the Second Amendment gives me the right to own a gun. However, with that right comes the responsibility not to infringe upon other people's rights.

Certain guns were created for the sole purpose of killing people. They are not sporting or self-defense weapons. They do raise testosterone levels, enrich gun manufacturers and give the NRA a media center piece. If you need that much fire power to hunt or protect yourself, then I suggest a lot more time at the range.

If you believe that you need protection from your own government, then consider this conspiracy theory: What is the best way to get guns outlawed? How about refusing to consider reasonable constraints on a very limited number of special weapons so that the public begins to rise up in righteous anger to have all guns banned? Probably not true, but gun owners’ rights are being threatened because of the intractable position on assault weapons by some powerful groups.

More importantly, how many more innocents will lose their rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness because we have not taken the necessary steps to protect them?

This story was originally published November 27, 2017 at 7:26 AM with the headline "Gun owner says we need to restrict assault weapons in U.S.."