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Letter: Why do we need police when so many Americans have their own guns?

FILE - In this Aug. 25, 2020, file photo, Kyle Rittenhouse, left, with backwards cap, walks along Sheridan Road in Kenosha, Wis., with another armed civilian. Rittenhouse was among a number of armed white men who converged on the city this summer, claiming to protect property owners from arson and theft. (Adam Rogan/The Journal Times via AP, File)

America is sinking into the mire! Here are three examples:

1. Kyle Rittenhouse was 17 when he attended a protest carrying a high powered rifle. He ended up killing two. His excuse was “I was attacked.” Is it now OK for an immature 17-year-old to “police” a potential protest and take the law into his own hands?

2. Ahmaud Arbery, a Black jogger, was chased, shot and killed by two white men whose excuse was they thought he was a burglar. The killing was caught on film, which shows the victim unarmed in a T-shirt and shorts. Is it now OK to kill someone because you “think” he might be a burglar? Why didn’t the killers call the police instead of taking the law into their own hands?

3. Paul Gosar, a fairly senior Republican in Congress, made and posted a video anime on the internet mimicking shooting a female Democratic member, and attacking President Biden with a sword because he didn’t agree with their views — in an era when strong disagreements with members of other political parties seem to be the norm. He was passionately defended by Kevin McCarthy — the leader of the Republican party in the House — suggesting that this was merely a “joke.” Is murder now a joke? Apparently, all but two Republicans in Congress agree.

The world is watching — I doubt they will be favorably impressed with America.

Frank Fish, Taylorsville

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