Here we go again. For all those offended by gun ads in the paper.

When you leave Port Townsend, you’re already pointed in the right direction. Now, just keep going until you see that nice federal office on the Oregon-California line waiting to check you through the border. Don’t stop now. You’re almost home.

Technically speaking, although I own several military type firearms, none of them are assault rifles as none of them have ever “assaulted” anyone.

Also technically speaking, I own one. I bought it specifically for hunting.

The AR-15 type firearm, being a modular weapons system, makes it ideal for legal modification, with an almost limitless range of configuration that allows it to be custom filled to an individual’s needs, thereby allowing handicapped and disabled hunters and shooters such as myself to continue hunting and shooting.

And finally, I made it to Steampunk.

There were people openly walking the streets with guns. There were display tables in several places, with guns. They even had kids, little kids, sport-hunting each other over on Memorial Field, with toy guns.

I currently have a bet going on that this will be the last Steampunk event because of all those guns.

It’s a bet I really hope to lose.

NED M. HUCKINS

Port Hadlock

Editor’s note: The Leader asked Nathan Barnett, director of the Olympic Peninsula Steam, to respond to references involving Steampunk in this letter. Barnett wrote: “As for guns at the Brass Screw Confederacy, Port Townsend’s Steampunk festival, our community has little to fear. Toddlers and artists with fanciful firearms fashioned from Nerf guns and candlesticks are a far cry from the open-carry concern. Only a limited segment of “Steampunkers” carry “guns.” We’re no more about guns than about hats or shoes. Some of the team creating the Brass Screw are veterans, including this writer. We have a variety of opinions on 2nd amendment rights. None of them have anything to do with our event. And yes, I’m pretty sure we’ll be back. It was a spectacular year. The beauty of living in a safe, supportive community is that we can stop imagining the horrific, and start envisioning the best, the most creative we can be.”