Columbia, SC — It broke the hearts of most Americans when those precious children in Newtown were killed, and for a few days we talked about doing something about it. Then the NRA began to talk about its members’ right to bear arms, and somehow any mention of the children was lost.

I ask you: Which is more important, the children or the guns?

The National Rifle Association is puzzling. Rifle is a part of its title, and no one is planning to take the rifles from members.

They rant about the Second Amendment. Our Founding Fathers were informed by the idea of the British trying to prevent a rebellion by keeping us from having guns. That was more than 200 years ago.

The Second Amendment was written with the idea that guns would be in the hands of responsible, law-abiding citizens. According to Justice John Paul Stevens, they would be for organized state militia, not civilians.

The individuals who speak for the NRA come across as angry and almost violent in their presentations. As I have watched them on television, the thought has crossed my mind that I would not want to see people like that with a gun. It could be dangerous.

The NRA should be the first to stand up and demand that assault weapons be outlawed. Its members should be recognized as responsible, law-abiding citizens. Right now they are not. To answer my own question, I think the children are more important.

Thom Bristow

Columbia