The First Amendment gives the right to freedom of speech and the press, among others. These rights are not qualified or limited by the amendment, but we have laws that limit them. Libel, slander, yelling "Fire!" in a theater, copyright: all of these limit and regulate those freedoms.

The Second Amendment is the only one that specifically includes language calling for regulation. Claims that any form of control or regulation of firearms would destroy the Bill of Rights is just not realistic. I think that some gun lovers have confused their personal opinion with universal truth.

The Second Amendment was written by men with ink on parchment, not by God's fiery finger on stone tablets.

BOB ALLEN, Richland