Guns and chicken

The Second Amendment's right to bear arms should not be translated into a requirement or even responsibility to own a gun. That's what Spring City Councilman Neil Sorensen is doing in his proposal that the city tell every adult in the dinky city of only 1,000 to own a firearm and learn how to use it ("Utah town's leaders want all residents to own guns," Tribune, Jan. 9).

"We need to step up and support the Second Amendment," Sorensen said. As if it needs such protection, given the recent Supreme Court ruling. Sorensen's idea supports corporate gun manufacturers, not gun rights.

This is as silly as eating fast food at Chick-fil-A in support of gay marriage. All you're doing is supporting its already-too-wealthy owners, not fighting gays.

If you feel you need a handgun for self-defense, you have the God-given right to life (and defending it), but don't carry your right to a ridiculous extreme and get an automatic weapon of mass murder. And if you feel inclined to eat chicken, exercise your God-given right to pursue happiness by freely choosing healthy grilled chicken instead of heart-stopping fried chicken.

True freedom is more about making wise choices than making empty statements.

Albert Johnston

Salt Lake City