Evil semi-automatic rifles are the choice for mass murderers

Opinion letter echo published in the Shreveport Times newspaper in Louisiana.

How many more mass murders must we have until the U.S. Congress takes the required steps to subdue this matter. Before we get started, I’m not advocating banning all guns. I have some myself.

It is LONG past time to ban semi-automatic AR style rifles and BIG magazines and eliminate background check loopholes.

Face it, ARs are the choice of mass murderers (and right-wing nut cases, so called militias -- the biggest domestic terrorism threat.). (Maine Writer- IMO, trained military notwithstanding, the private purchase of an AR, regardless of what the reason, is an intentionality to consider murder.)

It is time for our gutless politicians to ban ARs, big magazines and close the loopholes.

The public, even Republicans, backs all. Such bans have never been found to be unconstitutional. The only thing blocking these reasonable steps is the lack of courage in Congress.

George W. Bush didn’t extend the Bill Clinton ban on them for political reasons in 2004. Clinton's 1994 ban passed in the Senate with a vote of 95-4 and the House by 235-195.

AR style rifles should never been allowed in the first place. A buyback program, similar to Australia's, should also be enacted for them.

Congressmen with a high NRA (National Rifle Association) rating should be thrown out of office. Why? – Not only are they for keeping AR style rifles in the hands general public but supported the NRA’s advocacy of silencers and bump stocks (converts ARs to Tommy guns) for the general public.

From Robert F. Martina, Shreveport Louisiana