Thankful for Second Amendment rights

As a gun owner and a certified Iowa Hunter Education Instructor, I agree with most of the comments in your August 10 editorial, 'Gun owners need to speak out more.” I support background checks on anyone purchasing a firearm.

Your editorial suggests that more strict gun laws somehow reduce shootings. You fail to mention that Chicago has banned the sale of handguns anywhere in the city, yet has one of the highest per capita shooting incidents in the country.

Also, in the same August 10 Gazette, on the previous page, you ran an article about the man arrested at the Walmart store in Missouri for being armed with a rifle and pistol. Why did you fail to mention that he was detained until police arrived by an armed citizen who used his legally acquired handgun to subdue the suspect?

I feel that we are blessed in this country by the best law enforcement personnel in the world. Unfortunately, they can't be all places at all times, and I am thankful for my Second Amendment right to protect my family.

Jim Cuddeback

Washington