Lynn S. Higgins and David R. Whitaker are wrong in attempting to use military weapons policies as a reason to deny civilians their rights to own semi-automatic weapons.
The rules of a free society and the military that protects it are of necessity very different. This goes way beyond restrictions on hair and clothing.
Unlike civilians, soldiers cannot quit or change jobs at will. Their rights to travel, even on weekends and holidays, are limited. Freedom of expression is limited, especially as it relates to politics.
They are subject to monthly weigh-ins and physical fitness testing twice a year. While things like weight control and physical fitness are good ideas, would we really want to give the government that much control to mandate them for the general population?
In addition, the weapons soldiers use are owned by the Army. The Army, like most civilian employers, has strict rules about the use of their property by employees. Soldiers can’t, for example, just take a Humvee out on the weekends to go four wheeling. That, however, should not disqualify civilians from owning 4x4s.
Ultimately, most citizens, whether military or civilian, who own guns like AR-15s use them safely and responsibly.
Steven H. Warrick, Salt Lake City
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