No need for civilians to own assault weapons

To the Editor;

I am a firm believer in the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. We all have the right to bear arms to protect ourselves or our property. If people can’t protect themselves with a shotgun or rifle, then they ought not to have a weapon.

It is not a constitutional right to bear assault weapons or any automatic-style weapon. What is the necessity in civilians owning a weapon of mass destruction? If people feel the need to discharge these weapons of war, why not have a controlled area at the shooting range paying a fee that is then donated to victims and families of horrific crime.

Carol Henderson
Dexter