In my local newspaper this morning, a letter to the editor said, "Obama is building a private military force to take over control of all of us, as early as possible." This kind of thinking is very common in my area, and it's a primary reason why Americans want to have guns - to protect themselves from their government.

Personally, I think they're crazy.

I've never had reason to be afraid of "bad guys" with guns. But on two occasions, righteous citizens have unknowingly shot in my direction when I was walking frequently-used hiking trails. And when I was working as a government investigator, I made an appointment to interview two righteous but very frightened citizens - they had rifles pointed at me as I approached their house.

So, it's the "good guys" I have reason to fear, and I sure wish they weren't allowed to have guns to protect their righteousness.

-Joe-