To the Editor:

As the year 2012 passed into history, I can only say that I’m happy I live on the north side of the 49th parallel. In Canadian society, the overhaul quality of life of our people, takes precedent over the rights of any individual. Freedom of thought, speech and worship are inherent in our birthright as Canadians. Our armed forces bear arms to defend and protect our country. The police bear arms to protect themselves and those unfortunates who call upon the police to protect them from grievous harm.

Last year, 12,000 Americans lost their lives to the unbridled use of legal firearms. The communities where these people lived, their loved ones and friends were no doubt impacted by their violent deaths. Yes, acceptable, because citizens have the constitutional right “to bear arms.”

In Canada, the privilege to possess a firearm, which many of us use for recreation and hunting, is given only to those who have demonstrated by their background and behaviour that they are responsible enough to possess firearms.

Though, some people are afraid of guns, the real danger is the person who owns the firearm, not the gun itself.

In Canada, we have freedom which is defined as the ability to make choices without being controlled by other people or influences, but by its why definition “Liberty” is the right to do as you please.

In all the blaming and shock of the latest mass murder in Connecticut n December, I can’t recall any person mention the liberty of the children, or the loss of their rights at the hands of a killer. While we inflect on yet another tragedy involving innocents, bear in mind that when we evaluate the society we live in the true measure of its worth is how we treat our children and elderly.

Angus Campbell
Thompson