From left, Tony Montalto and wife Jennifer, parents of victim...

From left, Tony Montalto and wife Jennifer, parents of victim Gina Montalto, 14, and Ryan Petty who's daughter 14-year-old Alaina Petty who were both killed during the Marjory Stonemason Douglas High School shooting, comfort each other as they stand next to Florida Governor Rick Scott before he signs the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Public Safety Act in the Governor's office at the Florida Capital in Tallahassee, Fla., Thursday March 9, 2018. (AP Photo/Mark Wallheiser) Credit: AP / Mark Wallheiser

If semi-automatic weapons are banned, what then is to be done about assault-style rifles that are already in the hands of the public [“Dick’s, Walmart alter gun policy,” News, March 1]?

Will the government be able to forcibly enter a home to confiscate and destroy this type of rifle? What are your rights if they find nothing? If you own this type of rifle, refuse to give it up and secretly keep it, are you then a criminal?

The barn door has been left open for such a long time that this type of firearm is now out there in abundance. We should just concentrate on protecting schools with armed guards and thoroughly screening those who want to purchase such a weapon.

The assault-style rifle is here to stay.

Avey Shaw, Huntington Station

I believe we should leave AR-15 rifles and similar types of weapons for military and law enforcement use, and stop the sale of these heavy-duty weapons to the public.

As a compromise, and to satisfy those who wish to shoot an AR-15 or similar weapon, the National Rifle Association could open shooting ranges throughout the country and rent these weapons to those who enjoy shooting. The weapons would stay at the shooting ranges.

There’s been a lot a talk for years about this issue, and nothing changes.

Bernard McGrath, Holbrook

Sadly, the insanity of lack of action swirls around us. The Florida legislature failed to enact a measure banning semi-automatic weapons. The Georgia legislature tried to economically blackmail Delta Air Lines, the state’s largest employer, by eliminating a $38 million annual sales tax break on jet fuel in retaliation for the company’s stand to cancel discounts offered to National Rifle Association members [“Ga. lawmakers punish Delta for NRA stance,” News, March 2].

To its credit, Delta’s response was “our values are not for sale.” Kudos to Delta CEO Ed Bastian, Dick’s Sporting Goods and other companies that are realizing the insanity, and growing unpopularity, of NRA positions and are distancing themselves.

Kudos also to Parkland, Florida, students and parents who, in the wake of this terrible tragedy, have become gun control activists. Hopefully, this movement will grow and, if politicians don’t get on board, we will throw them out and elect those who will protect our children above all else.

Howard Frauenberger, Malverne

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