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Letter: Too many guns in the hands of too many idiots

(Pat Bagley | The Salt Lake Tribune) This cartoon, titled “I Scam the NRA,” appears in the Salt Lake Tribune on Thursday, May 23, 2019.

(Pat Bagley | The Salt Lake Tribune) This cartoon, titled “I Scam the NRA,” appears in the Salt Lake Tribune on Thursday, May 23, 2019.

As an Army veteran, I was trained how to properly operate an M-16, how to clean it, disassemble and reassemble it many times over before I ever got to actually shoot it, and then only under strict supervision by a team of highly trained professional instructors.

Luckily, no one got shot, but there were a few mistakes made by the students which could have led to tragedy.

After live fire on the range, we were required to state, "No brass, no ammo!" as our instructors carefully checked our weapons.

What makes y’all think you can buy a weapon and take a $50 class where you don't even have to show that you can safely handle that weapon? Or even show proficiency in a live-fire situation in a controlled environment?

And then, carry it around, concealed, ready to use in an uncontrolled chaotic situation?

Let the professionals do their job. Quit believing that the NRA gives a flying **** about the Second Amendment and your sacred rights and realize they are only in the gun-selling business to make a lot of money.

Too many guns in the hands of too many idiots is the problem.

Dave Teal, Holladay

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