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In the wake of the Orlando massacre, President Obama has called on Congress to reinstate the assault weapons ban “to make it harder for terrorists to use these weapons to kill us.”

Calling for “common sense gun control, without violating the Second Amendment,” he also urged passage of the “no fly, no buy” law that would prevent those on a terrorist watch list who are prohibited from boarding airliners from buying guns.

Most Americans would choose to restrict the ability of one man, whatever his motive, to walk into a room with a military assault-type rifle and shoot more than 100 people. AR-15s also were the weapons used to slaughter 26 children and adults in Newtown, Conn., and kill 12 people and wound 70 in a theater in Aurora. Colo. (They can fire a dozen rounds a second and empty a 30- round magazine in three seconds.)

Recently, a distinguished military group joined Americans for Responsible Solutions, founded by former U.S. Rep. Gabby Giffords, who was wounded by a gunman. Joining her and her husband, Navy Capt. Mark Kelly, in the fight for gun safety were U.S. Army Gen. David Petraeus, former Coast Guard commander Adm. Thad Allen and retired Army Gen. Stanley McChrystal. Allen said he joined the group because gun violence is at a level that requires a national response.

While assault weapons bans are in place in seven states, including Connecticut, and in some municipalities, reinstating the federal assault weapons ban nationwide would make us all safer.

JAMES W. RAMSEY

Kootenai