I have a right to bear arms. Like other rights, it is not absolute.

I do not have a right to own a battle tank, nor a flame thrower, nor bombs. I do not have a right to own a howitzer, nor a machine gun. These are weapons of war.

I do have the right to own a hand gun and a long gun.

What about military type “assault rifles”? These are also weapons of war, designed to kill efficiently. No one has a need for such weapons. Congress should reinstate the ban on ownership of assault-style rifles. It is reasonable for the government to buy back any in circulation.

This will not stop all gun massacres. It is one incremental step in making our children safe in school, in making worshipers safe in church, in making shoppers safe in stores.

It is time for Congress to act now.

Frank Kieliszek, Norway