In 1996, in Australia, Martin Bryant killed 35 people and injured 23 with an AR-15. Bryant had referred to his AR-15 as “a sweet little gun.” Within 12 days comprehensive gun-control legislation was agreed upon in Australia. There has not been another mass shooting in Australia since. I read the June 22nd opinion page of the Press and the five love letters to GUNS. “Blame the media and fix morality’; ‘Blame the Democrats”; guns are a “Most Sacred Liberty”; “Blame the President and Saul Alinski”; and “we only kill an average of 18 people a year in mass shootings.” Lastly; “If a fire had killed the 49 people in Orlando, we wouldn’t ban matches.”

There is only one reason to own an assault rifle. To kill a lot of somethings.

However, one letter-writer’s comment: “If just a few people were armed during the Orlando massacre” could be the solution. The Good Guys! What if every owner of an assault rifle was registered with the military, and with that registration became a member of “The Good Guys” battalion? In other words: “A well-regulated Militia.” NO crazies or Muslims need apply. They could wear uniforms and badges, march in parades, gather in the desert and shoot stuff, serve as guards in America wherever needed, and we’d all be safe. They could be paid. And they would keep their guns.

JANET CALLEN

Coeur d’Alene