Mr. Rothenburger, you obviously do not understand that there are many legal, privately owned assault rifles in Canada (Sad Bizarre End To 2012, The Daily News, Dec. 27). I used to own one myself.

My rifle had an action which is identical to that which the shooter in Connecticut used, but my rifle is an order of magnitude more powerful.

I point out again; my rifle is legal in Canada. I would also point out that there are many thousands of these legal rifles in Canada.

True assault rifles are already banned in Canada as well as in the U.S. These are the AK-47 type of weapon, which can fire on full-automatic mode. Here is my concern with all of this.

When our children go back to school this January, they will be as unprotected as they were before. No matter what kinds of weapons get banned, I am sure you know how long it would take to get the legislation through and to effect the collection of the weapons.

The principal of that Newtown school rushed at the gunman with nothing but her bare hands and was killed for her efforts. Would it be too hard to imagine that had she been trained in the use of a gun and had said gun on her person that she could have stopped this deranged person, and saved many (maybe all) lives?

Of course the idea of guns in schools is distasteful. Twenty young children killed, far more distasteful. With the greatest of respect, sir, you are wrong on this one.

LEE PENTNEY

Chase