I have been a life member of the National Rifle Association for almost 50 years and have generally agreed with its actions to protect gun owners’ rights pursuant to the Second Amendment.

The present position of the NRA regarding assault weapons, however, is too extreme and has very little logical base. I recognize that there are legitimate shooting competitions for assault-type weapons, but that is not a persuasive argument for general ownership of them or for general ownership of high-capacity magazines for such weapons.

It would be reasonable to require individuals seeking to purchase an assault rifle to prove they were members of an organization that is recognized by the Civilian Marksmanship Program, a government-chartered organization devoted to fostering marksmanship and safe gun practices. The sale and possession of high-capacity magazines could be limited to such organizations, which would make them available to shooters for competition but maintain possession of the magazines at other times.

This does not address those who currently own assault weapons or high-capacity magazines, but I am not convinced that any program our geniuses in Washington may attempt to enact will do so either. At least it would limit the proliferation of these weapons in a manner that should not overly upset any thoughtful Second Amendment advocate.

Terry W. Brown

Columbia