Recent letters to the editor maligning hunters and gun owners assume that simple exposure to firearms through hunting will lead to firearm violence. I think the opposite is true. Hunter safety courses, education, passing on outdoor activities that include the safe use of firearms will deter that violence and create a lifelong respect for firearms and a stewardship towards wildlife and the outdoors.

Maine has one of the lowest crime rates in the country. What might appear to be a firearm for self protection may in fact also be used for hunting and target shooting. Maybe gun ownership in general in Maine is one of the reasons why we have such a low crime rate.

The old 30-30 Winchester or 20-gauge side-by-side leaning against the wall behind the kitchen door is a thing of the past for the most part nowadays. Too bad because a young person legally chasing a swowshoe hare or working his bird dog on partridge after taking a mandatory Hunter Safety Course and after mentoring under a parent or adult certainly isn’t plotting the next school massacre.

Brad Eden

Frankfort