Let's assume for a moment that the gun control folks have succeeded in the elimination of all guns from our society. These basics would still be true.

This would still be a violent world.

There are people who have chosen for whatever reason to be criminals. They glory in breaking laws, and they take great pleasure in intimidating and violating people who they perceive as weaker than them.

The only thing they respect is strength. These people will commit any crime that they think they can get away with and then brag about it to their like-minded friends.

It is unreasonable to expect the police to protect you from these crimes. Most of them take place in a few seconds or maybe a couple of minutes. At best the police are several minutes away.

If you are going to be protected from a home invasion, car jacking, rape or robbery, either you or some other law-abiding citizen is going to have to do something.

When the police finally arrive they may find the person who robbed, raped or killed you and put them in jail but you have still become a victim.

If someone broke into your home and began assaulting - beating, stabbing, raping - your family, if you have any compassion at all, wouldn't you yearn for the power to stop the attackers?

Fortunately, there are also people who have chosen to be law-abiding citizens. Millions of us have chosen to accept the responsibility of protecting ourselves, our families and our friends until the police arrive.

The best way to accomplish this is to be a responsible, trained gun owner. Please buy a gun and learn how to use it.

Dale Harding

Bloomington

Do you agree?