57°F
weather icon Mostly Clear

Keep hands in view during traffic stops

Traffic-stop procedures should be revised so that drivers reach for their vehicle registration and proof-of-insurance documents — which tend to be kept in the glove compartment — only upon the officer’s specific request. The fewer instances of reaching for some unknown object, the lower the risk of the officer overreacting.

Steven P. Haver

Las Vegas

Update the right

Have you read the Second Amendment lately? It’s only one sentence long. The second part says “the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.” Sounds pretty definitive, doesn’t it. The first part, explaining why this is necessary, says “A well-regulated Militia being necessary to the security of a free state … “

The Bill of Rights, drafted by James Madison, was adopted (ratified by the 11th state) on Dec. 15, 1791. At that time there was great distrust of a national peacetime army. The Continental Army had been virtually disbanded by 1782 or 1783. Local militias, espoused by Alexander Hamilton in The Federalist 29, were established to “quell insurrections and fight invasions.” Militias consisted of able-bodied men ages 18 to 45 who were expected to bring their own horse and gun when called.

Today we spend about $600 billion each year to maintain the finest military force the world has ever known. The need for militias is a thing of the distant past. This rationale for the “right to bear arms” is simply no longer valid.

I am not proposing confiscation of personal weapons or anything like that. Simply that a future U.S. Supreme Court needs to recognize these facts and rule that the Second Amendment “right to bear arms” needs to be interpreted in a way that is consistent with our 21st century society.

In the meantime let’s do something to help reduce gun violence. Vote “Yes” on Question 1 in November and pass universal background checks in Nevada.

Pierre Coste

Henderson

Show me the money

Kudos to Steve Sebelius on his excellent Friday commentary on the Metro funding controversy involving the city and county. City Councilman Stavros Anthony also drew attention to the issue in his recent letter to the editor.

The 2 million residents of the city and county, not counting the hundreds of thousands of tourists visiting every month, deserve the very best police protection. Sheriff Joe Lombardo can work only with what his budget allows, courtesy of the city and county.

It is inconceivable that we are unable to provide cash-for-cops budget money. Look at the rising crime rates and events in recent months.

Be aware, too, that even with the extra flow of cash needed to staff his understaffed department, it takes a year or more to select, train and provide in-house support for extra officer hires.

Get with the program, city and county officials. Just do it, folks: Support our sheriff, who is doing an excellent job given his resources.

Geoffrey Marsh

Las Vegas

Political operative

Bill Riggs’ Monday letter attacking Catherine Cortez Masto contained distortions of facts regarding Uber and the taxi interests.

Mr. Riggs is a political operative for the Freedom Partners Action Fund, which is a PAC front for far-right Republican issues and candidates. It is largely funded by the Koch brothers and other like-minded, wealthy individuals who wish to minimize social and governmental interference in their far-ranging business interests.

It’s interesting that among its many substantial PAC contributors, there are none I could find listed from Nevada. Once again, we have outside interests attempting to influence local issues and elections to foster their own cause.

Eugene Asken

Las Vegas

Don't miss the big stories. Like us on Facebook.
THE LATEST
EDITORIAL: More free stuff

Bernie Sanders wants to wave a magic wand and impose a 32-hour work week.