Don’t lump all gun owners together

I believe that anyone moving into a new area should research the demographics of his or her chosen retirement haven before relocating and passing judgment. Having read one writer’s recent letter I’m not surprised that a person choosing to retire in a rural area they obviously know nothing about would have a sensational opinion on firearm ownership.

As an American you have the choice whether to patronize a business and the letter writer is exercising that right. However it is unacceptable to lump the gun owners of America into the same group as mentally unstable sociopaths. The writer’s elitist belief that only he or she is capable of feeling empathy and great despair over the tragic Newtown shooting is insulting. I can only hope that reason will carry the day and the millions of law-abiding citizens will not be punished for the actions of deranged lunatics.

This writer apparently doesn’t realize that firearms are objects of desire to many collectors. The same family that enjoys a new engagement ring or family heirloom can in fact at the same time enjoy the craftsmanship and beauty of a Colt single action army or a modern semiautomatic sporting rifle.

Nick DeLuca of Trigger Happy Guns and Accessories, as well as many other local Main Street business owners, live and breathe community and constantly work toward building a greater downtown area for all Clayton residents.

Candice Wetzel

Clayton