To the editor:

I have been thinking long and hard about how to verbalize my support of Common Sense Gun Safety Legislation and how it is NOT anti-Second Amendment and it is not a support of “banning” or “confiscating” anyone’s weapons.

I want to begin by pointing out that I served in the military for 24 years, I am a gun owner, and a concealed carry permit holder who exercises that privilege almost every day. To me it is common sense that no one needs an AR-15 or similar rifle especially with a high capacity magazine to defend themselves, their families, their homes, businesses, or property from harm or intruders. And speaking as someone who grew up hunting in southern Minnesota they also certainly do not need an AR-15 or similar rifle with a 30-plus round magazine to hunt. There are plenty of hunting rifles readily available which are much better suited to that endeavor.

As I stated, I am a concealed carry permit holder and my weapon for personal defense is a .38 Smith & Wesson Body Guard Edition fitted with a Combat Grip. In my home I also keep a Smith & Wesson .40 M&P semi-automatic pistol. Obviously neither hold more than 15 rounds nor would I need them to. If there is ever a time to need to use those weapons for defense if you have not neutralized the threat before getting to 15 rounds either you or the intruder are dead or incapacitated.

What I want everyone to consider when they think about these issues are the words of Brian Mast. He is a Republican Congressman from Florida, a decorated Army Veteran, and a concealed carry permit holder also. The words and thoughts that follow are his and I could in no way improve on what he says and I agree with him 100 percent.

“My combat rifle was very similar to the AR-15-style semiautomatic weapon used to kill students, teachers and a coach I knew at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., where I once lived. I have fired tens of thousands of rounds through that rifle, many in combat. We used it because it was the most lethal, the best for killing our enemies. And I know that my community, our schools and public gathering places are not made safer by any person having access to the best killing tool the Army could put in my hands. I cannot support the primary weapon I used to defend our people being used to kill children I swore to defend.”

David Nelson

Fredericksburg, VA

NUHS Class of 1979