Free men are armed

To the Editor:

While appreciating Kristen Brownell's sincerity in "Right to bear arms not individual's" I am still compelled to respond.

This classic tired argument always ignores the obvious use throughout the Bill of Rights of the phrase "the people" to mean all citizens. The people have the right to free speech for example, to peacefully assemble as well as to keep and bear arms.

The Second Amendment, read without editing, clearly states all citizens may have and carry weapons to ensure we hold all the other rights. Anyone want to argue how we live in less dangerous times than in 1776?

Ms. Brownell wrote "One person is not a militia." I submit that there is no numbers limit. Any and all honest Americans, responding to a threat against their home, their family or their society becomes the militia. History keeps showing us that free men are armed, slaves are not.

Rex Waite

Norway