Dear Editor:

Mr. Gregg (Letters, 4/12) probably did not have any treasonous intent when he suggested that gun owners would arise in insurrection should we as a body politic democratically decide to revisit the Second Amendment.

It is not surprising that after decades of the gun manufacturer’s lobby sowing the seeds of fear that a dangerous harvest of hatred and contempt would take root in our nation. Readers may recall a few years ago when I suggested that we, as a community, discuss our lax gun laws and the needless carnage they give rise too. My letter was met with derision and ad hominem attacks.

However, the threat of insurrection should give us serious pause to consider why we tolerate the proliferation of dangerous weapons. It is painfully obvious that a minority of gun owners put their freedom to own guns above the safety and welfare of their fellow citizens and, according to Mr. Gregg, have little respect for the rule of law or democratic self rule.

As a gun owner myself, the time to consider modest and reasonable legislation to protect ourselves from the irresponsible people who possess and trade in guns is long past. Too many innocent lives have been lost under the fallacy that more guns will make us safer. That is why I support the efforts of Maine Moms Demand Action and Everytown for Gun Safety.

Where gun owners have failed their fellow citizens in the responsible use and distribution of their weapons; let us then take responsibility where they have not.

The gun fanatics are a loud, well organized and well-funded minority. But they are a minority. We who advocate reasonable and modest measures be taken to reduce gun violence must continue to raise our voices, push for common sense reforms and stop voting for representatives who continue to pander to these fanatics.

Fred W. Nehring

Boothbay