The article "Gun show rift grows," Dec. 29, contains statements by Robert LeClair, a Hudson Falls gun owner, and David Petronis, promoter of an upcoming gun show at the Saratoga Springs City Center and president of the New EastCoast Arms Collectors Associates, objecting to Susan Steer's current petition for the gun show to be canceled.
My concern is not the issue of gun control, though additional limits need to be legislated to limit the availability of weapons that appear to have no function other than to kill.
I am concerned with the tone and content of the responses of said gentlemen. While I commend Mr. Petronis urging gun show exhibitors to be civil in response to protesters, he goes on to undermine this appeal by calling those advocating the cancellation "jerks" who have "spewed nonsense from brains too twisted for rational solutions to real problems."
Mr. LeClair referred to Ms. Steer as "a Saratoga soccer mom with half-baked concepts of firearms and gun control," as if being a soccer mom limits her ability for rational thought.
While I am not disputing an individual's right to free speech guaranteed by the Constitution, it is important to remember that ongoing legislation and Supreme Court decisions have placed limits on this amendment, such as falsely shouting fire in a public setting.
My concern is not the debate encouraged in a democratic society; it is the increasingly disparaging nature of this discourse that has become more vindictive, nasty and personalized.
This has, in my opinion, been a reflection of, and a contributing factor to, the growing incivility in our society. This ultimately leads to a further erosion of cherished values as well as potentially encouraging children to act similarly.
I encourage Mr. Petronis and Mr. LeClair to consider the effect their words and tone have on the individuals involved in this discussion as well as our culture in general.
MARTIN WAKESBERG
Burnt Hills
