[.45TCB]

As I was reading my Sunday paper this morning, I was pleasantly surprised to see two full pages devoted to articles on concealed carry. Even more to my surprise, out of five articles, three were strongly pro-gun, one (by the county DA) was pretty much neutral, and of course, a token anti-gun piece from the Coalition to Stop Gun Ownership . . . oops, I mean Gun Violence. ;) I'm guessing that this was prompted by a several recent episodes in which citizens used their weapons to defend themselves against robberies and home invasions. Here are the links to the online stories:

Training is essential if you decide to carry (http://www.gomemphis.com/mca/opinion_columnists/article/0,1426,MCA_539_2182429,00.html)

Defense of self, family is a personal duty (http://www.gomemphis.com/mca/opinion_columnists/article/0,1426,MCA_539_2182432,00.html)

Know the law before you pick up that weapon (http://www.gomemphis.com/mca/opinion_columnists/article/0,1426,MCA_539_2182209,00.html)

Shooting down the myths of guns, self defense (http://www.gomemphis.com/mca/opinion_columnists/article/0,1426,MCA_539_2182499,00.html)

Disarming citizens has not made us safer (http://www.gomemphis.com/mca/opinion_columnists/article/0,1426,MCA_539_2182185,00.html)

My letter to the editor refuting the anti-gun column is already in the works. It will also include my thanks for presenting permit holders in a positive light.

[capbuster]

Thankyou for the article. I have a 26 year old son who lives and works in Memphis. Its a great town.
After my first visit last spring, I understand why he likes it as much as his does.

[El Tejon]

I'm really looking forward to my visit to Memphis in September (1st time in the Land of Orange). I think we'll get along just fine.:D

[Seminole]

Thanks for posting that, .45TCB! I hadn't seen the articles until I read your post. The pro-carry authors did a good job. I wonder how the paper located and decided to use them. Did they write letters to the editor after the series of shootings by homeowners of bad guys we had recently? The prof. from MS State did fine too, though his information was stuff that was pretty familiar to all of us. Having it stated by an academic in a forum such as this, however, was probably informative to the vast majority of readers who don't know about Lott, Kleck, etc.