Do you have to be in the military to want to protect your country?

Question to BND columnist Roger Schlueter on Feb. 5: Did NRA executive Wayne LaPierre serve in the military?

The reason few individuals, whether they are into guns or not, have been in combat or served in the military is because there is no draft. We have a volunteer military, so most individuals can stay at home and continue with their lives without fear of having to leave home and family and face possible death. They can put down roots in one place if they so desire or move freely about the country or internationally. No individual is required to

be responsible for his safety or freedoms.

Big governments do not like an armed populace.

Probably most of these individuals are hunters, or have hunted. I think most still have a streak of freedom in their blood. Although they have not seen combat and may not have served actively in the military, they realize that we need guns to protect our families, property, our land and above all, our

constitutional freedoms.

Lew Hiatt

Belleville