LETTERS: Island gun seller should be able to advertise without harassment

I’m a longtime islander and have lived here since 1952: born and raised on Vashon with family here since the 1890s. Vashon was peaceful back then. People minded their own business, and there was no vandalism or theft. That is not the case now. Your way of thinking might not be mine. My right.

January 5, 2016 1:18 pm

I’m a longtime islander and have lived here since 1952: born and raised on Vashon with family here since the 1890s.

Vashon was peaceful back then. People minded their own business, and there was no vandalism or theft. That is not the case now. Your way of thinking might not be mine. My right.

Being patriotic, serving during the Vietnam war, flying my American flag, believing in the Constitution and the Second Amendment and supporting the NRA are all my rights.

I’m an NRA-certified firearms instructor and educate people about firearms, safety, responsibility and the seriousness of carrying a firearm. I also teach concealed carry and personal defense classes. I don’t teach people to kill. I’m licensed by the ATF and Washington State to buy and sell firearms legally. I have a federal firearms license and do background checks on every person I sell to.

I had a sandwich board sign painted by a local sign painter advertising my business and explaining what I offered: guns, ammo and my services. Business boomed. But then someone took it upon themselves to steal and destroy it because they didn’t like it. I put together a second sign. Five days later it was stolen because someone didn’t like it. Total loss? Over $900. Is that right? I don’t think so.

Other businesses exercise their right to advertise. I knew I was going to get a little flak, I got the phone calls saying, “Take it down. It doesn’t belong here.” Why doesn’t it belong here? What is Vashon hiding from?

Americans are scared. Your friends and neighbors are arming themselves with personal defense firearms.

I hear this often: “Don’t tell anyone I’m buying a gun.”

I was taught differently: Mind your own business, don’t steal, respect others’ property and stand up for what you believe in. I have the same rights as you to advertise my business.