Editor:
After reading Ian MacLaren’s pro-gun-control column in the Journal’s Oct. 11 Sports section, the famous quote by Daniel Patrick Moynihan, “Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not to his own facts,” immediately came to mind. The column is filled with opinions and wishful thinking stated as facts. I assume he’s hoping to sway those not educated in firearms to his beliefs.
Here are just a few examples. He stated an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle can fire 900 rounds per minute. That’s 15 rounds per second. Does MacLaren know anyone that can pull a trigger 15 times per second and has a magazine that holds 900 rounds? Obviously, both are impossible, but he stated them as facts.
He also stated such a weapon is not practical for hunting or any other recreational use. If MacLaren had taken the time to educate himself by reading any current shooting and hunting magazines, he’d know that statement is also not a fact but his unfounded opinion. Semi-automatic rifles are used for hunting everything from varmints to feral hogs to deer, elk and other similar big game. They are also used in many rifle competitions, both short and long range. The very reason they are used for these activities is because they are practical and do a very good job. If they did not, obviously no one would be using them for hunting or shooting competitions.
As far as interpreting the Second Amendment, I would bet that the Supreme Court justices would disagree that MacLaren knows more about the Second Amendment than they do. I assume MacLaren’s next Sports section sermon will be on the illegality of murder in Massachusetts and Aaron Hernandez.
Rick Corbitt, Dolores