Dear Editor,

Marty Stitsel’s letter of 22 March re: the NRA.

In last week’s letters to the editor column, Marty Stitsel accused the NRA (National Rifle Association) of being the worst terrorist organization in the world. Marty associated the organization with the likes of ISIS, Al Qaeda and the Taliban. I don’t know where Mr. Stitsel gets his data, so I don’t know if it’s correct. I do know, however, that when one makes a blanket statement like that, it does little to further logical or intellectual debate. We all know that automobiles, cigarettes, alcohol, drugs and medical malpractice kill more people each year than do criminals with guns.  I have no problem with discussing gun deaths, because any death that is not natural is cause for concern.

The NRA is like any other organization just like the American Medical Association, The Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS),

The National Tobacco Association, The Automotive Industry or the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORMAL): Each and every one of the above mentioned organizations produce a product or service that leads to the death or destruction of health or both. With the exception of marijuana use, all of the other trade organizations mentioned represent organizations that cause more death and destruction than the deaths caused by firearms.

This is not to say that one can’t focus on firearm deaths. But to blame an organization for the crimes committed by those that probably don’t even belong to the targeted organization does little to further the quest for fewer firearm deaths.

Mr. Stitsel further stated that guns are not properly monitored. We have numerous laws and regulations that monitor the purchase, possession and sale of firearms in this country. What we don’t do is monitor the people who use guns in a criminal fashion.

I believe a more cool, calm and collected tone of voice will accomplish more than coining a legal organization “terrorist.”

I will host a discussion of Mr. Stitsel’s letter Friday, March 30, on Face-To-Face, 1400 and 1450 on your AM dial at 12:10 p.m. Please tune in and contribute to the discussion. Feel free to contact me with questions or comments in advance of the program.

Bill Litsinger
Sandpoint