facebook-pixel

Letter: Tree-huggers meet gun-toters

(Rick Bowmer | AP photo) The Utah Capitol is viewed before the Utah Legislature begins work Monday, Jan. 27, 2020, in Salt lake City.

A couple of weeks ago there was the most joyful occurrence outside the chambers of the Utah House of Representatives.

The Capitol rotunda was bustling with singing kids and hard-working lobbyists. On the balcony was a batch of Stop the Polluting Port activists seeking conversations with lawmakers. Then a large cadre of gents wearing Guns Save Lives T-shirts came off of a bus to join in the citizen activism. At first glance, the left-of-aisle port repealers may have nothing in common with the right-of-aisle Second Amendment enthusiasts. There were lively discussions around the topic of whether guns kill people or people kill people.

Then the funniest thing happened. A homemade sign that read “Don’t Sell Utah Short, Now’s The Time To Repeal The Port” prompted many of the gun rights activists to boast of their opposition to the inland port. A warm and fuzzy feeling flowed outside the House chambers as the people came together on common ground.

No one wants to continue polluting our great American landscape, from the tree-hugger to the gun-toter. It makes one proud to be an American.

Courtney Henley, Salt Lake City

Submit a letter to the editor

Support free news for Utah

sltrib.com is now free to access — no subscription required. We made this decision because we believe access to trustworthy, independent news shouldn’t depend on what you can afford — especially as misinformation and AI-generated content continue to rise.

Free to read doesn’t mean free to produce. Our reporters show up every day to ask hard questions and hold powerful institutions to account. That work takes resources. As a nonprofit newsroom, we rely on support from people who believe it matters. Make a donation today to fund local news that serves Utah communities.

You can help us bring more local news to more communities today.