Letters: Phony fears on 'concealed carry' never pan out
RE STU Bykofsky's "Your Home, Your Castle" column (Nov. 19):
If HB 40 passes, critics fear wild gunfire on the streets. This ignorant theory is brought up every time a state passes a concealed-carry law.
When they passed concealed-carry in Kansas, opinions in the Wichita Eagle expressed fear of "gunfire in the streets and in the bars." That was three years ago. Hasn't happened yet.
In fact, no honest statistics can point to a rise in violent crimes due to a concealed-carry bill going into law. They will instead point to a decrease.
I live in the Phoenix area, and have a concealed-carry permit that 31 other states honor. I've held this permit for more than two years. So far, I've never had to pull my gun to defend myself.
I hope I never have to, but it's comforting to know I have one just
in case some drunken idiot going through a divorce comes out of nowhere and threatens to take his aggressions out on me.
I can protect myself on the spot without having to dial 9-1-1 on my cell and hope the cops get there before the criminal takes his course of action.
I'm 50, and not in shape to run or fight. My handgun is my only option in an imminent violent crime situation.
I praise God for the Second Amendment.
Bill Gamelson, Mesa, Ariz.
