How about taxing people who carry guns?

In a March 6 guest column, Glenn Modracek claimed it is his “God given right” to carry a concealed weapon. If he is protecting his property, then why does he need to carry a gun in public? I shudder at the thought of any hothead with minimal training who will be able to carry a loaded gun. I feel less safe than ever before. How many innocent passers-by must fall victim to self-appointed “sheepdogs?” Where do we draw the line? Does someone who takes a brief course at the gun store have a right to take concealed weapons into bars, hospitals, Kinnick Stadium?

Our elected leaders have surrendered to these papa and mama bear types because they want to get re-elected.

I surrender, too, NRA. So this is my thought: a hefty gun tax. We have taxes on gas, liquor, cigarettes, income. We pay annual motor vehicle registrations. Why not tax guns? Iowa could certainly use the money.

I once felt good about living in Iowa. But this latest addition to the laundry list of backward thinking, which includes ousting Iowa Supreme Court justices, cutting public-funded preschool and tampering with collective bargaining for public employees, has left me feeling mortified.

Cindy Nicholson

Cedar Rapids