To the Editor:

Those who seek to disarm law-abiding Americans who own guns in order to protect themselves and their families have ramped up their attack on the National Rifle Association, portraying it as an evil entity that manipulates businesses and government.

But the NRA is merely an association that represents the gun owners of America. The power and influence of the NRA is the power and influence of the freedom-loving people of this country. The NRA is not a lobbying group for the gun industry; it is a group that defends the right of Americans to keep and bear arms.

The conspiracy to destroy the NRA is merely another step towards the ultimate goal of total gun confiscation. (Possibly some hunters will be able to keep their hunting rifles in a gated game preserve where they will be permitted to hunt after paying the associated exorbitant fees for permits and membership. Hunting will again become the exclusive preserve of the very wealthy.) The residents of St. Lawrence County should keep in mind that businesses and political organizations that oppose the NRA are opposing the right of citizens to defend themselves.

Surrendering one's weapons and relying on security personnel is no guarantee of safety. The security officer at Stoneman High School appears to have hidden behind a concrete pillar while students were being murdered.

Citizens who are concerned about self-preservation should be members of the NRA and should also express their concerns to their elected representatives at the local, state and federal level. Any representative who would deny citizens their right to self-defense should be voted out of office.

When the knock on the door comes, it will be too late to do anything.

Kevin Beary

Colton