Op-Ed: Protecting gun rights vital to Alaskans

March 28, 2006

By Vic Kohring

Twenty-Five years ago, on March 30, 1981, President Ronald Reagan was
shot by a confused young man attempting to impress actress Jody Foster.
Why murdering a president would impress Foster is one question
apparently John Hinckley never asked himself. But Reagan not only
forgave Hinckley, he never once brought up the issue of gun control.

To we Alaskans, gun control is a favorite topic of discussion and the
goal of many liberals in the Lower 48. We in the North know better. Guns
are needed tools and, secondly, a source of sport.

Our progress in defense of the Second Amendment comes from a surprising
individual, Democrat Rep. Eric Croft. His legislation to eliminate
concealed-carry requirements, House Bill 102, was signed into law in
2004. We should thank him for both his perseverance and support of the
right to keep and bear arms. Which brings up an interesting question.
Are you aware that a teenager growing up in America sees tens of
thousands of rifle and pistol killings on TV by the time he or she is
16? And yet, not one in 100 is aware of the nation's premier rifle and
pistol competition at Camp Perry, Ohio, held each year in August.

Much of America's media is so biased against guns and private ownership
of weapons, that we are not told of all the peaceful and legitimate uses
of guns in our nation. With the exception of the History Channel and
occasional specials on other channels, most young people think of guns
as killing machines and only killing machines.

For the complete story, visit Frontiersman.com.