I received a paper with the following information on it from a friend and wanted to share it with you. It can also be found on several websites.

Why carry a gun?

I don’t carry a gun because I’m evil; I carry a gun because I have lived long enough to see the evil in the world. I don’t carry a gun because I hate the government; I carry a gun because I understand the limitations of government. Personally, I carry a gun because I’m too young to die and too old to take a whoopin.’

A little gun history — please don’t think for a moment that this couldn’t happen in our country.

In 1929, the Soviet Union established gun control: From 1929 to 1953 about 20 million dissidents, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.

In 1911, Turkey established gun control: From 1915 to 1917, 1.5 million Armenians, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.

Germany established gun control in 1938: From 1939 to 1945 a total of 13 million Jews and others who were unable to defend themselves were rounded up and exterminated.

Uganda established gun control in 1970: From 1971 to 1979, 300,000 Christians, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.

Cambodia established gun control in 1956: From 1975 to 1977, one million educated people, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated. Fifty-six million defenseless people were rounded up and exterminated in the 20th century because of gun control.

You won’t see this data on the U.S. evening news, or hear politicians disseminating this information. Guns in the hands of honest citizens save lives and property, and, yes, gun-control laws adversely affect only the law-abiding citizens — with guns, we are citizens, without them we are subjects.

During World War II, the Japanese decided not to invade America because they knew most Americans were armed.

Gun owners in the USA are the largest armed forces in the world.

Switzerland issues a gun to every household. Switzerland’s government issues and trains every adult in the use of a rifle. Switzerland has the lowest gun-related crime rate of any civilized country in the world.

It’s a no-brainer! Don’t let our government waste millions of our tax dollars in an effort to make all law-abiding citizens an easy target.

I’m a firm believer in the Second Amendment. If you are, too, please forward this. If you’re not a believer, please reconsider the true facts. This is history — not what’s being shown on TV, sanctioned by our illustrious delusional leaders in Washington. Yes, we can do things to make us safe. Let’s do it right this time.

Paul Westrum

Albert Lea