Letters to the editor for Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Sandoval, Heller were standing up for Bundy’s rights

Please allow me to take exception to the letter written by Chuck Smith in the June 18 Nevada Appeal and his criticism of Gov. Sandoval and Sen. Heller.

The Millers were at the Bundy Ranch, but because of their attitudes, they were asked to leave and they did so. Please remember too the “gun tot’n self-proclaimed militia” you refer to did nothing to antagonize the heavily-armed BLM folks.

Please, also remember the people that were there to support the Bundys arrived after the heavily-armed BLM folks came to confiscate the Bundy’s cattle. The BLM had no court order allowing them to do what they did. Some bureaucrat made that decision. And when do you remember the federal government sending armed guards to collect a debt?

You may not agree with the way the Bundys and their supporters demonstrated, but please believe in their First Amendment rights to do so. And their supporters all had legal weapons that they carried openly in compliance with their Second Amendment rights.

And finally, the last thing I believe the supporters wanted was any kind of armed conflict. They were totally out-gunned by the BLM and if you don’t know that then you should learn something about weapons. I applaud the governor and the senator for standing up for the Bundy’s rights.

Terry Sullivan

Washoe Valley