Dear Editor:

In response to Mr. Sample’s letter to the editor which appeared in the April 5 edition of the Register, I offer the following:

Precisely which of my “tired old arguments” have been repudiated?

• We are a violent nation? Of course we are.
• We have 4 percent of the world’s population and 40 percent of the worlds guns? We do.
• The Heller decision allows the ban of military style assault weapons? It does. I suggest you read it and see the Kolbe decision upholding the DC ban on assault weapons.
• Australia banned and bought back its assault-style weapons and they have not had a mass shooting since then? Again true.
• Their PM, advocating for the ban/buyback said: “We have an opportunity in this country not to go down the American path.” He did.

I strongly suggest that Mr. Sample does some research before he makes false assertions. Breitbart is not research. Further, his “if you want them come and get them” attitude is yet another reason to do just that. He has lost all perspective.

Now, as to whether we could ban and buy back AR-15s (Note, I said nothing about sporting rifles-that was his misquote): we can. As to the cost, we can easily afford it. What we cannot afford is a society where our children are afraid to go to school, the movies, bowling, concerts, and church. Tens of billions? Well worth the price.

I recall Congress just passed a tax bill that will add another $1.5 trillion to the debt. Reverse it and we can easily cover tens of billions. Mr. Sample’s argument boils down to this: no facts. None. He simply does not want it. I suggest that he listens to law enforcement. Listen to the military. Listen to school teachers. They overwhelmingly support the ban. Mr. Sample is free to have his opinion, but not his own facts. One day, the representatives of the people will do what the majority of their constituents want: ban AR-15s. The gun manufacturers’ hold over Congress is coming to an end and is being replaced by the voices of our children. Listen.

Fred Levin

Boothbay