Reader's view: Background checks are reasonable gun measure

In his June 26 column in the News Tribune, John R. Lott Jr., provided an inadequate comparison between semiautomatic, military-style assault weapons and other types of rifles (National View: “Ban on semiautomatics will make us less safe”).
Semiautomatic, military-style assault weapons - the AR-15 among them - are an effective choice for a mass shooter since they’re merely semiautomatic versions of battle weapons.
The technical and architectural features that enhance a semiautomatic, military-style assault weapon’s ability to rapidly fire many rounds with effective accuracy at multiple moving targets result in horrendous mass shootings. Large-capacity detachable magazines, small cartridges with lightweight bullets, low-slung barrels that reduce recoil and muzzle climb, pistol grips and barrel shrouds that provide ergonomic aids in rapid shooting all are hallmark features of semiautomatic, military-style assault weapons.
Every G.I. in virtually every
army is equipped with weapons that include them - and have been for decades. Did Lott, the president of the Crime Prevention Research Center (crimeresearch.org), expect us to believe that military establishments around the world exclusively arm their troops with such weapons for cosmetic reasons?
Semiautomatic, military-style assault weapons needn’t be banned. But public safety can be enhanced with tighter federal regulations like universal background checks on all gun sales. They’re measures most gun owners and hunters like me support.
Brent Gurtek
Duluth Township