One group's rights limits another's

To the editor:

In his Feb. 22 letter concerning the pending legislation to ban protests at funerals, John Mitchell misses the point. He is concerned that this is an infringement on the First Amendment right of freedom of speech, but whatever happened to that old adage, "My right to swing my fist ends where your nose begins"? No one is saying this particularly repulsive group can't hold all the marches and demonstrations their hearts desire. Their right to make whatever absurd claims they want is not going to be terminated by this legislation. Our legislators are simply saying the families also have rights, the right to honor their loved one and to grieve for their loss in peace, free from the hideous distraction of these people.

Mr. Mitchell states "There is no right to not be offended in the U.S. Constitution or Missouri Constitution." Neither is there any guarantee that you will never be punched in the nose. It is the societal concept that my rights are limited by your rights. This band of disgusting individuals is free to protest any time, any place, but that right is limited by the rights of the families. I fully support this legislation and urge all our area legislators to see that this bill is passed into law.

ROBERT A. CRON, Advance, Mo.