LTE drafted and submitted
Editor:
Re: “Something’s going wrong in Virginia” commentary Feb. 19: Mr. Stiles is perplexed about the impending repeal of the “one handgun a month” law. He cannot imagine why anyone would need that many guns.
No, Mr. Stiles, at long last, something is going right in Virginia.
This issue is not about how many handguns a citizen “needs”. It is not about guns at all. It is about the government’s ability to place a quantitative limitation on a right guaranteed by the Constitutions of the United States and the Commonwealth of Virginia. If the government can place such a numerical limit on handguns, then why could it not place a similar limit on the number of times you are permitted to vote or the number of times you are permitted to invoke your 5[SUP]th[/SUP] Amendment right against self incrimination or unreasonable search and seizure? A “right” which is limited by government is not a “right” at all; it is “permission” … easily granted and just as easily revoked.
If Mr. Stiles is really concerned about the number of deaths in Virginia, I would suggest that he support a government limit on the number of miles which each citizen is permitted to drive each month. That should be easy, as the operation of a motor vehicle is a privilege granted by the Commonwealth and not a constitutional right. Drunk driving, road rage, texting, et. al. account for far more Virginia deaths each year than do hand guns.
P.S. The “urban cowboy” will continue stick his gun in your face, regardless of any law. Criminals don’t care about the law; only law-abiding citizens do.