OK, I have tried to be reasonable, but I’m not getting anything even approaching reason from the pro-gun crowd.

Why can’t any of you even admit that there are places and circumstances where it’s not right to carry a gun?

Why can’t you admit that you don’t need to own high-powered assault rifles?

Why must you just repeat the craziness of the National Rifle Association and not think for yourselves?

These two children are from Texas. Their parents gave them these rifles to carry around a shopping district where guns are not allowed.

This is wrong on so many levels I hardly know where to start.

But let’s start with the “responsible gun ownership” argument. I agree that responsible gun ownership is OK, but this is not responsible. Children shouldn’t be walking around in public with guns any more than they should be allowed to drive a semi or a city bus. They are not mature enough to understand the ramifications of handling guns (or a huge truck).

Even an adult walking around a public shopping area with a loaded weapon is irresponsible.

I know, I know, you’re going to bring up the Second Amendment. Do you know what it says? It says, and I quote: “A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.”

Do you belong to a well regulated militia? Do you understand the history of this amendment and how its meaning has been twisted?

Are you not moved one tiny bit by the deaths in schools, theaters and houses of worship?

I know, now you’re going to bring up the kid with the knives who went slashing through his school last week. No one died in that attack, though, and I hate to think of the carnage that would have resulted if he’d had access to a gun.

The NRA has bought our government and has convinced sportsmen and women that owning a gun is a more precious right than the vote. The resulting carnage means nothing to them. They are the mouthpiece of gun manufacturers who are only looking to make more profit, no matter how many people die as a result.

You’ve been hoodwinked, and you’re no safer as a result. More people are killed with their own guns that actually stop an intruder or attacker.

I have shot guns at targets and it’s fun, but I could have just as much fun with a BB gun. I don’t need to handle something that can kill just to have a good time.

My father owned a gun and he used it to hunt deer (although I don’t remember him ever getting one).

I’m not saying everyone should lose their guns, even though I don’t on one and likely never will, but I would like to see the pro-gun crowd budge just a little. Background checks would be nice. Banning guns from most public places also would be appropriate.

You can’t be a responsible person if you are unwilling to give an inch on anything.