To the Editor:

I was very disappointed to learn that Sen. Kelly Ayotte would not support the Manchin-Toomey proposal to expand background checks on people buying guns. It seems somehow she equates that to a violation of the Second Amendment? Does she really think our founding fathers intended the Second Amendment to allow someone with a criminal background or mentally unstable to own a gun, which back then consisted of loading gun powder and a ball into a musket?

Whatever her reasons were for not supporting the expanded background check, especially after what happened in nearby Newtown, Conn., she is wrong. She has lost my vote, and I hope others will follow. We cannot always get politicians to act on our behalf, but we can kick them out of office on Election Day. Thankfully, at least our other senator, Jeanne Shaheen, had the common sense to support that proposal.

WILLIAM KEATING

Merrimack