T

Opinion: The latest gun regulation bill is nothing to cheer about

The legislation resembles the timid movements of a couple of 6-month old children…

  • By Rodger Painter
  • Monday, June 27, 2022 6:00pm
  • Opinion

By Rodger Painter

While I, like most Americans, am happy to see Congress finally taking a step forward on gun regulation, but the legislation resembles the timid movements of a couple of 6-month old children I’ve recently been privileged to observe trying to crawl and walk

My roots in Alaska go back as far as humans have walked these shores. At 75, I have lived my life in the “gun culture,” but these weapons always were rifles meant to kill meat to eat or, as a commercial fisherman, to protect my livelihood when state and federal laws allowed, and encouraged, the killing of sea lions and seals.

Never would I ever have considered handling a firearm designed to kill human beings, which is what an assault weapon was designed specially to accomplish, and it has proven to be very effective in doing so, as a host of mass shootings has demonstrated.

I enjoyed hunting deer. It was as much as walking the muskeg in the fall and enjoying other animals, environment and friends. I didn’t need to bag a deer, which was rare, but I loved it, but I always ended up with meat donated by fellow hunters who were more successful.

How can an update of gun safety regulations ignore the ability of an 18-year-old to purchase an assault weapon when he or she would be prevented from buying a handgun? The answer is politics, as is the failure of the law to address extended magazines. I wouldn’t want to be in the same area as a hunter who needs an extended magazine to shoot a deer or any other animal I’ve ever hunted.

How brave is a “red flag” law urging states to take the lead? We are enthusiastic about the idea, but it’s up to the states to implement. What kind of leadership is this?

I am a veteran and I have handled weapons of war. Assault rifles, like .50-caliber machine guns, bazookas and other weapons designed to kill people, should be banned for sale to the general public.

The “originalists” on the Supreme Court and in Congress must be reading a different Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution than I am. Here’s the amendment:

“A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.”

To me the authors were talking about the National Guard in which I served. I think the authors would be alarmed to see how it is being interpreted to allow shooters, including 18-year-olds, to acquire weapons capable of killing many innocent citizens. Two recent shootings involved with lone teenagers armed with assault rifles are starling: Uvalde 21 dead and 18 injured, and Buffalo 10 dead and 13 injured.

I hope that there is another attempt to implement more meaningful curbs on gun violence.

• Rodger Painter lives in Juneau. Columns, My Turns and Letters to the Editor represent the view of the author, not the view of the Juneau Empire. Have something to say? Here’s how to submit a My Turn or letter.

More in Opinion

Web
Have something to say?

Here’s how to add your voice to the conversation.

Letter: LGBTQ+ flag at federal building was proper

LGBTQ+ flag at federal building was proper In response to Tom Dawson’s… Continue reading

Opinion: Empire disrespects the flag

Empire disrespects the flag Shame on you. I am extremely disappointed in… Continue reading

Opinion: Time to prevent the circular firing squad

Time to prevent the circular firing squad I’m developing an almost vitriolic… Continue reading

Rebuttal: Ignell ignorant about realities of Juneau’s housing market

Rebuttal: Ignell ignorant about realities of Juneau’s housing market In the few… Continue reading

Opinion: Telephone Hill homes worth preserving

Telephone Hill homes worth preserving Juneau’s history is preserved and told in… Continue reading

Opinion: Questionable property assessments by CBJ deserve a grand jury investigation

Imagine if the price of unleaded gasoline increased 20% tomorrow to $4.80… Continue reading

(Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
Opinion: Sustainability report is a greenwashing effort

Report leaves out “the not-so-pretty.”

(Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
Opinion: Considering North Douglas crossing alternatives

This new highway project will be scrutinized differently than others during the past 30 years.

Most Read