Once again we are regaled with The Tribune's anti-firearm stance (Our View, “Renew gun ban,” July 15). If the First Amendment were under attack, we would find a totally different response. The editorial showed your total ignorance of firearms and the original intent and purpose of the Second Amendment. The right to firearms has nothing to do with hunting and never has. This is one of the many myths propagated by those who wish to eventually ban all guns.

Of course you had to mention Columbine in your attack. The weapons used by these cretins were mostly of 9mm caliber. Therefore, using your logic, all handguns should be banned as well. They also used a sawed-off shotgun. Therefore all bird hunting weapons are suspect and worth banning. You also failed to mention the attempt by many in Congress to enlarge the ban to cover many new weapons, including semi-automatic shotguns and many hunting rifles which use semi-automatic technology.

Thank God Kleibold/Harris failed to ignite most of their bombs, as I am sure you would be calling to ban propane tanks and most types of piping. Next time there is a riot, like that which occurred in Los Angeles after the Rodney King verdict or looting which followed hurricane Andrew, I surmise you would suggest shooting spit-wads or throwing rocks.

John Wangsgaard

Logan