For those who whine about the abundance of legal gun ownership here in America, look no further than the killing last week of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson on the streets of midtown Manhattan (“Days after gunman killed UnitedHealthcare’s CEO, police push to ID him and FBI offers reward,” web, Dec. 7).

Or look at the attempted carjackings that occur daily across the country. Add to those home invasions, smash-and-grab intrusions at retail stores, the killing of convenience store clerks, the kidnapping of small children and young women out for daily runs, school massacres, assaults, rapes and murders and more. It’s no wonder that many people — particularly the old — live in fear, afraid to go outside their homes.

Other truths we prefer not to face are the absence of two-parent homes, the failure of public education, permissiveness in the judicial system and the unwillingness of politicians, city and state officials and community and thought leaders to design, implement and continually adapt to the growing numbers of individuals lacking the skills to function in s civilized society.

Expanded private legal gun ownership is one of the final barriers to outright anarchy.

H. LEE LAPOLE

Loveland, Ohio

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