Your June 29 editorial on armed citizens thwarting crime brings to mind the profound truth uttered by Wayne LaPierre of the National Rifle Association just after the Sandy Hook shootings: “The only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun.”

This has been affirmed in connection with the Paris and Orlando shootings by one of our leading thinkers, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, who would like to see more of us armed when we go out in public.

As he will tell you himself, this man is very smart and should be listened to, and by pointing his finger and saying “boom,” he has clearly demonstrated how easy it would be for an armed citizen to stop a mass killing.

However, it must be conceded that, as others have pointed out, there is a problem with arming all of the good guys: With all of us waving around our guns, the police will not know whom to shoot. But there is an easy solution.

All of us good guys should be issued uniforms, possibly white (terrorists seem to like black), that would clearly identify us. Hats (white) would be optional but recommended. We would wear these uniforms whenever we leave home with our guns.

I would suggest that an assault-style semi-automatic rifle with a high-capacity magazine should be the weapon of choice for the average citizen, as it requires a lower level of proficiency to ensure a kill than do other types of weapons.

There are details to be worked out (for example, training for the good guys and funding for their uniforms and gun purchases), but I believe Congress would be supportive. If we adopt this plan, Mr. Trump and the gun lobby’s vision for our society will at last be fulfilled.

Michael P. Bacon

South Portland