Having read the lead editorial in the Times paper this morning I found myself wondering where would gang members get rifles requiring WWII era ammunition?

As I wasn’t present at the gang task force meeting, I’m not sure what cartridge the resident ATF agent presented that would have been used by gangs in Chattanooga. Could it have been for an M1 Garand which weighs app. 10 pounds and holds an eight round clip, or possibly a K98k 8mm Mauser which is a five shot bolt action rifle used by the German Wehrmacht? Could it have been a 9mm cartridge used by the German MP40 submachine gun or the 30 caliber cartridge used by the M1 Carbine which uses a 15 round magazine?

My point is this, it is extremely unlikely that the gangs in Chattanooga are armed with these kinds of weapons as all of these are highly sought after by shooters and collectors like myself. These weapons would be impossible to conceal plus take more than a little skill and training to load and fire.

Of course the real kicker in this “editorial” is that the gangs of Chattanooga are using AK-47’s and AR-15 “assault” rifles. An AK-47 is a selective fire weapon that is classified by the BATF as a machine gun and therefore is strictly regulated and controlled by the same agency. These gangs are almost assuredly using semi auto versions of the AKM rifle which along with the semi auto only AR-15, are completely legal in the United States and are used by millions of law abiding citizens across the nation.

None of these weapons except the AK-47 are assault rifles, not one. If you are going to “editorialize” about these things you should, at the very least, educate yourself on the proper terms and operation of these weapons.

As for the comments about the “gun show sewer” in America, most, if not all of the guns used by gangs are stolen and aren’t purchased at shows. There is no such thing as “modest, sane” gun control that will pass constitutional muster especially when it comes to the aforementioned rifles.

As for the NRA, I’m a life member and I thank God everyday that they and other pro freedom, pro constitution and pro American organizations exist and are constantly working to protect not just my rights, but even the rights of this misinformed “Editor” to speak and defend ourselves as we wish.

Until the community at large rises up and holds our government accountable to combat these gangs with strong on the ground policing and stiff mandatory jail time, these gangs will continue to terrorize the city of Chattanooga.

Sheriff Hammond hit the nail on the head and, unfortunately that’s what the situation is coming to.

John T. Sanders