TO: Senator Susan Collins on Gun Control

The Senator might know my name from the Machias Valley News Column "Under the Curve" which supported her when she first ran in 1996 and favorable articles in each subsequent run.

I got an NRA call.  They want to promote, and want the Senator to support more Orlando style Murders.

NO!  Susan has made me proud of the years of my support for her, by being the only Rational Republican in a Party dominated by Trump/Cruz Tea party idiots.

This nation needs to forbid civilians having military grade guns  which are not registered to users licensed in their proper use (as we license cars or flying planes).  No laws should impede a person's right to a target or hunting weapon -- or something to kill varmints.  A good revolver protects against home invasion -- there is no need for automatic pistols which jam, or accidently discharge (which a hammered gun isn't likely to do).  And certainly we wouldn't want to impede gun show sales of collectors antiques.

But there is absolutely no rational basis for someone on a terrorist watch list, or under investigation for a crime, to be allowed to freely purchase a gun.  WORSE -- I just saw a blurb on social media where a 13-year-old was sent in to buy beer, cigarettes and a gun ... and was allowed to buy the gun.  Obviously, it should not be possible to mail-order an assault weapon.

We have enough crazy coming in November.  We really do not need to have any nut or terrorist be able to fly into the states, walk into a gun shop -- or gun show -- and walk out capable of killing 50 people, or, at the point of an easily obtained assault gun, taking command of some means to kill thousands.

The Senator has been the voice of Republican reason in Washington -- in recent years, the ONLY voice of reason.  Now is time for the whole nation to her wise words.

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After this was posted, this KAL comic for 18 June was posted