Look in the mirror | The Salt Lake Tribune

This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

We're in an arms race with ourselves. If you have a pistol, then I need one. If you have an AK-47 assault rifle, then I need two. If you have high-capacity ammo clips, then I need rocket-propelled grenades or C4 plastic explosives. Maybe I need to armor my car, my house.

If you even think about disagreeing with me, my hand will go to my holster. It's shades of the Old West. Everyone will need to keep a pair of dueling pistols because, "Sir, I demand satisfaction."

George Zimmermans of the world, unite! Let the local neighborhood-watch conflicts ignite.

America's gun culture needs to take a long look in the mirror. If it is honest with itself, it might see the ugliness the rest of us see. Hopefully, that will happen before we regress into a police state.

Wayne Belka

Midvale