With regard to the actions of Robert Stewart, a reader writes a letter to the editor, with a message for Sen. Blake: " if I have to give up some of my freedom to ensure this doesn't happen again I will be glad to do so."

A desperate figure like Stewart, wanting to target our most vulnerable population, did not need firearms. He could have used a sharp tool, or perhaps his car.

Which freedoms would readers like to surrender to guarantee that this doesn't happen again? Perhaps freedom from warrantless searches, so that authorities may search our homes for dangerous gardening tools? Freedom of owning and using motor vehicles to travel where one wishes?

I have fought and bled for the freedoms we have. I have watched good men die in battle for these freedoms. These freedoms are bought and paid for in blood. Anyone not wanting those freedoms has many other countries to choose from where citizens lack freedom.

I will let the readers research how Ben Franklin felt about the idea of surrendering freedom in exchange for security.

Jonathan Clouse

Whispering Pines