To The Daily: Once again columnist Eugene Robinson has ignored logic and focused on argumentum ad hominem. Wayne LaPierre and the National Rifle Association are not the issue, though he apparently would like to make it so. Sandy Hook and Rep. Gabrielle Giffords' shooting, tragic though they may be, also are not. Gun ownership and its reasons are.

Your editorials show you agree with Robinson. Stop wringing your hands and be honest. If you don't believe citizens should have guns to protect themselves against powerful forces, say so.

I believe they should. To substantiate my belief, I quote two revolutionaries: Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin. The former said: "The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort to protect themselves against tyranny in government." The latter said: "Those who would give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty or safety." A .22 rifle won't do this.

Stop hiding behind dastardly deeds wrought upon women and children. If you believe that the citizenry should be disarmed except for ineffectual weapons, say it.

Franklin Johnson

Falkville