The recent threateningly vague ban of “copycat’’ assault weapons greatly disturbed me, as a former US Army combat infantry officer who swore to defend the US Constitution (“Closing the loophole’’). Due process, the right to keep and bear arms, and the general tradition of our representative form of government, where separation of powers exist so that the laws are made by the legislative body after debate and deliberation, and not by sudden executive fiat, are all in jeopardy.

Reinterpreting existing laws to avoid legislative changes is a mistaken way of accomplishing political goals in our government. Taking sudden action, thereby avoiding political debate, discourse, and dialogue, is corrosive and destructive to representative government and to liberty.

In addition, it is mistaken to respond to violence and terror by infringing on the rights of law-abiding citizens. This grants victory to the terrorists and thugs whose goal it is to diminish the liberties that so many have fought to defend.

JR Johnson, Dedham