Just as atheists try to distort the First Amendment regarding religion, we now have people trying to distort the Second Amendment.

However, with the Second Amendment, I can see how they might have misinterpreted that writing as well. As with the part of the First Amendment that says, "or prohibiting the free exercise thereof," we now have people trying to arm every citizen under any circumstance and in any location.

The Second Amendment states, "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed." I support this to the death, but I cannot see myself packing a sidearm into an ice cream parlor, or a church, or a city council meeting, or into a movie theater, any more than I can see myself keeping a Howitzer or a gun locker full of various assault rifles in my garage.

Our well regulated militia means just what it says. Our U.S. militaries are well regulated. Keeping boxes of shells and various loaded or unloaded firearms around my house for anyone to steal or misuse is not.

RON ARAGON

Merced