When I read the Letters section in the Oct. 9 edition of the North Kitsap Herald, I felt I needed to clear up some generally held misconceptions.

In his letter (“Supports gun ownership, and background checks,” page A4), Mr. Shelbourn stated that he was a member of the NRA in his youth. Perhaps he still is. He is correct in observing that this organization has changed over the years. While it still promotes gun safety, training and conservation, it has had to respond to all the anti-gun and anti-Second Amendment groups who would disarm the country.

The NRA is simply one of the many groups who are defending our Second Amendment rights and trying to counter the somewhat distorted “facts” touted by the anti-gun groups. It is in no way “the gun lobby.” It should be noted that, in our society, many advocacy groups retain lobbyists to promote their causes.

No lobby can make members of Congress lose their seats. They lose their seats by not truly representing their constituents. Yes, the various lobbies contact the public to let them know of their representative’s performance — but isn’t this something about which every one of us should stay informed?

I agree with Mr. Shelbourn when he says people should be outraged and disturbed when mass shootings occur. Most of the mass shootings seem to involve someone who has mental issues. These issues were noticed by friends and family but no one intervened. Perhaps this should be getting our attention. In addition, most of these shootings have taken place in “gun-free zones,” thus ensuring that there would most likely be no one there to stop the shooter.

For those who wonder if more guns really result in less crime, one only needs to read a 2007 study done by Harvard University (hardly a bastion of conservatism) that found: no, we are not the nation with the highest murder rate; no, mass shootings are not unique to the United States; yes, in communities with more guns there is less crime. Want to read that report? Here is the title: “Would Banning Firearms Reduce Murder and Suicide?” Just Google it.

Art Ellison
Hansville