Editor, Manteca Bulletin,
Sadly, it’s happened again — another mass shooting, once again at a school.
First, let me say that I support the Second Amendment. I can recite it by heart. The first four words are —
A well-regulated militia.  Let me repeat, a well- regulated militia.  I don’t personally know anyone who is opposed to the Second Amendment.
I have friends who enjoy target practice at gun ranges. Family members hunt. None of them feel it’s necessary to hunt with an assault weapon.  In fact, one friend hunts with a bow and arrows!
We need to enforce the first three words of the Second Amendment — a well-regulated. Background checks with a short waiting period and a ban on the sale of assault weapons should become law in every state. Obviously background checks won’t detect every troubled person, but if one person is stopped, it’s worth the law. Banning assault weapons won’t end shootings, but it will limit massacres. 
Such laws will also enforce and support the Second Amendment — A well-regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.

Marlana Bakmas
Manteca