This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
In response to "Beyond bumper stickers" (Forum, Oct. 1), by Floyd Clark, these are the facts and they are not in dispute: None of the perpetrators of any mass shootings in the past 30 years was a valid, dues-paying member of the NRA. Not the kids at Columbine, not the shooter in Newtown, Conn., not the shooter at the movie theater in Colorado, or more recently, the Navy Yard.
These perpetrators are not NRA members. In spite of this fact, Mr. Clark believes that every time someone is shot in the United States, the NRA must be blamed and punished again for acts committed by non-member sociopaths.
It is no different than certain groups continuously blaming Planned Parenthood for every abortion performed in the United States. Even though the abortion was not performed by Planned Parenthood, they still get the blame. Every time the NRA stands up for the rights of its members, all they get is more glib and denigrating statements from Mr. Clark, The Tribune and their ilk. All responsibility and blame belongs solely on the perpetrator, not some third party (the NRA).
Hugh Johnson
Salt Lake City