Focus on solutions, not gun ‘what ifs’

“Unconcealed weapons,” front page of the Dec. 31 paper, was misplaced. The intent of the story was not news, but to incite a one-sided emotion regarding the new carry weapons law. The article suggested every permit holder in Iowa was going to show up at midnight ready to duel in the streets. Nothing could be further from the truth. The newspaper is to report news on the front page, leave the editorializing to another section.

This article was manufactured of “what ifs,” and should have confined the content to finding reasonable solutions to the concerns of the city and county officials. However, restricting law-abiding citizens of their rights is not the path to follow. I'm sure most bad guys don't possess legal carry permits, and anyone who submits to providing their personal information, fingerprints, FBI background checks and gun registration knows the responsibility the carry permit requires. These are not the citizens who are going to announce to the world they are “packing.”

“Carrying a gun is a social responsibility. A citizen who shirks his duty to contribute to the security of his community is little better than the criminal who threatens it.” - Robert Boatman

I, too, would like to see all permit holders have additional training and practice. I suggest adding additional firing ranges within the state and county park system as a start. An excellent example is the Matsell Bridge area.

Offering some sort of credit for training could be considered by the sheriff as incentive.

Harold Goodrich

Mount Vernon