I have had a firearm in my possession and carried for nearly 30 years. I have not had the need to take that firearm out of my holster during all those years.

I would take it from the holster and use it to defend my life and anyone that is around me faced with a deadly threat. I will not address anything relative to our current president other than to say he is pushing our United States of America down a "socialist" road and spending us into bankruptcy.

As the Senate and the House of Representatives wrangle with new gun laws, the strongest argument is to have universal background checks. I have a Federal Firearms License (FFL) and when selling a firearm I must conduct the mandatory National Instant Check System (NICS). The Congress is talking about the Universal Background Check needed for anyone who is not an FFL holder to sell a firearm, or even transfer it from Granddad to Grandson. Doing so would make that granddad a felon.

It has been presented that the information of all veterans diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder be added into the NICS data so they are prevented from the purchase of a firearm. What is the stigma attached to that or that same information of mental illness individuals being added? For every gun owner wanting to sell a firearm, a Federally issued ID would be required for that seller to conduct a NICS for the eligibility of the buyer. This would be a Federal database of all gun owners in the country. This identity data record is necessary to give the federal government that ability to come and confiscate the innocent owners' firearms with no appeal. Federal agents could come to your home and enter, without the protection of the 4th Amendment against "unreasonable search and seizure."

The problem is not guns; it is the lack of respect for life. It is also a spiritual problem that needs to see an awakening here in our USA.

The cause of gun abuse is evil. If an evil man wants to kill innocent people he will find a way. Killers don't need guns to kill people. Timothy McVey used fertilizer. The Sept. 11 terrorists used box cutters and planes. The Nazis used cyanide gas. Taking guns from innocent people will not protect innocent people. The problem is not guns. It is a Godless society. You could ban guns, but you can't disarm evil.

The bottom line goal of these gun grabbers is to disarm American citizens. The innocent citizen may use firearms for protection/defense "outside" and "inside" their home (home is the castle), sport and simply fun target shooting. Any may choose an AR-15 rifle, handguns, both semi-automatic pistol and revolver. Each of these has "one trigger pull, one shot fired". The same is true of shotguns; single shot, pump action or semiautomatic. "One trigger pull, one shot fired".

During World War II, Japan did not invade the United States because they figured everyone on the mainland was armed. The USA was armed. At the moment, the men and women who "hunt" in all the USA combine to equal the largest standing army in the world. After banning handguns, the hunters' "deer rifle" could be next simply because it looks like a military weapon. Just like the "sniper rifle" used around the world by our best-trained military shooters. We supplement our freezer with venison every fall deer season and in many states help provide food for the hungry. As Americans with firearms, we are citizens; without firearms, subjects.

In 1911, Turkey established gun control. From 1915 to 1917, 1.5 million Armenians, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.

In 1929, the Soviet Union established gun control. From 1929 to 1953, about 20 million dissidents, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.

Germany established gun control in 1938 and from 1939 to 1945, a total of 13 million Jews and others who were unable to defend themselves were rounded up and exterminated.

China established gun control in 1935. From 1948 to 1952, 20 million political dissidents, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.

Guatemala established gun control in 1964. From 1964 to 1981, 100,000 Mayan Indians, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.

Uganda established gun control in 1970. From 1971 to 1979, 300,000 Christians, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.

Cambodia established gun control in 1956. From 1975 to 1977 1 million people, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.

Guns in the hands of honest citizens save lives and property, and, yes, gun control laws adversely affect only the law-abiding citizens.

Switzerland issues every household a gun! The Switzerland government trains every adult they issue a rifle! Switzerland has the lowest gun related crime rate of any civilized country in the world.

Both Australia and Britain have instituted gun control and their crime rates have increased dramatically.

In the last year, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has purchased AR-15s for its employees, and has also bought 2 billion rounds of ammo.

Call our senators and representatives and tell them "NO" on any new gun control laws, and ask they enforce the gun laws currently on the books.

Yanak, of St. Albans, is a federal firearms licensee and NRA Firearm Instructor who teaches for concealed carry firearm certifications.