SMLE
Member
Here are several letters that touch on threads that have been posted on THR.
The first few are related to this thread: http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=62673
The last two are related to this thread: http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=64886
GUNS' PLACE IN SOCIETY
Article Took Correct Tack
I WOULD LIKE to commend the Journal on the excellent article concerning the qualification process in New Mexico for concealed-carry permits.
Most of the media in this country are anti-firearm and against the right to carry concealed firearms. The Journal article looked at the true issue— that law-abiding citizens have the right to carry a firearm in order to protect themselves and their families, and why they choose to do so.
I was pleased that there was no mention of the typical "the sky is falling" attitude expressed by most papers that the issuance of these permits will lead to gunfights in the streets and skyrocketing deaths from firearm incidents. All this has proven to be untrue in the 37 states that have right-to-carry laws on the books.
I am pleased that New Mexico has followed suit in allowing its citizenry to defend themselves. This now evens the playing field for those of us who have to contend with a criminal element that chooses not to follow the law and illegally carries firearms. They may think twice about whom they choose to rob or attack, for fear we may be armed.
STEVE FORCIER
Albuquerque
Result: Safer Gun Owners
... THE EXPANSION of the concealed handgun carry laws should make it safer for New Mexicans, as it has shown to be in other states.
The requirements for concealed-carry are far more stringent than for any other handgun owner or purchaser. Among these requirements are being 25 years old or older, a federal, state and local background check for felonies, misdemeanors or violence, DWI/DUI, addiction or possession of a controlled substance, mental incompetence, two fingerprint cards and a 15-hour firearms training class.
The class must include safe handling, safe storage, child safety, shooting fundamentals, live shooting at a firing range with each type and caliber of handgun to be carried, a review of federal, state and local criminal and civil laws pertaining to the purchase, ownership, transportation, use and possession of handguns, techniques for avoiding a criminal attack, how to control a violent confrontation and techniques for nonviolent resolution of conflicts.
This will most likely lead to a safer handgun owner— for himself and those around him. There will not be a big rush to go out and purchase more handguns as most of the New Mexico residents who will apply for this permit already own and carry handguns. ...
The people most likely to benefit from these laws are the people who can least afford it— the people who have to live and/or work in high-crime areas.
ROBERT SHUTTLES
Española
***not sure what to think of this next one.***
Embarrassment Behind Law
THE ARTICLE, "Aiming To Make the Grade," cites several scenarios in which writer D'Val Westphal suggests that carrying a gun would have prevented harm, or perhaps provided for self-defense. While I won't attempt to argue whether these assertions are credible, I want to point out that not a single one of these scenarios required a "concealed" weapon.
# (Use of) the fake injured baby to get into your house? You can keep a gun in your house without a concealed-carry permit.
# Gun in the car to fend off road rage? You can already carry a gun in your car, loaded, even in the glove compartment. Of course, according to what is described as the lesson of the class, one should be racing away, not reaching for a gun.
# Accosted by a panhandler? You can carry a gun in a holster in public places without a concealed carry permit or law. Perhaps seeing the gun, the panhandler wouldn't have to hit his victim with a brick.
Of course, most "sophisticated" people are embarrassed to be seen carrying a gun, even if they are pro-gun. That's what's behind a concealed-carry law. ...
As far as I can tell, there is no place you can carry a concealed weapon with the new permits that you couldn't already carry a gun, without a permit, as long as it was in plain view. This is a point that was virtually unspoken in the concealed-carry debate.
DAVID STRIP
Albuquerque
Protecting Loved Ones Wise
IT IS VERY discouraging to read the many letters and columns saying that concealed weapons are extremely dangerous and wanted only by kooks and crazies. The Journal's article, "Aiming To Make the Grade," made it clear that it is thoughtful, intelligent people who recognize the need to protect themselves and their loved ones.
In every state where concealed-carry has become legal, violent crimes have dropped. And the number of cases were permit holders have unwisely used their weapons is microscopic.
HAL ERWIN
Albuquerque
Four Rules Merit Reprint
I WISH TO commend D'Val Westphal for an excellent article on concealed-carry. The presentation of the issue was even-handed and accurate.
I also was very glad to see that the Journal printed the four rules of safe gun handling along with the threat avoidance information. I would even like to suggest that the four rules be re-printed in a larger format for folks to hang on their walls. ...
SEAN RODGERS
Albuquerque
Decision Endangers Court
IN THE HISTORY of Metro Court, I am not aware of any fatal incident inside the building. Only a fool would attempt anything inside a courtroom full of armed police officers. We now have unarmed certified and fully trained police officers in court, while we rely on armed security guards to provide security.
Does this make sense? This decision has the potential of a lethal risk to the officers and citizens alike. Has security started collecting all the blunt instruments of gavels from the judges? ...
ALEX MARENTES
Albuquerque
Why Unarmed Security?
SOME THINK the Metro Court isn't safe enough with armed police officers and deputies in the hallways and courtrooms. The concern is someone might grab their weapon and take it away from them and start shooting. It has happened in other courthouses around the country, so it could happen here, too.
What are our options?
We might be safer if we disarmed the officers and deputies. Can't grab a gun that isn't there. The fewer armed officers there are, the safer we will be. We might be safest if we disarmed all the officers in the courthouse— even the Metro Court security officers. Their guns might get snatched, too.
With no armed officers at all, we should have total safety. Maybe that's going too far? We obviously need some armed officers in the courthouse. If someone does grab a gun from whatever armed officer they are near, do you want to be down range sitting or standing next to another unarmed officer, or another armed officer? Do you want more officers around who can shoot back, or more officers around who are just another target?
If a few armed officers is still a good idea, maybe we would be twice as safe with twice as many around? Three times as safe with three times as many? Hey, I have a great idea! Why not just let all the officers in Metro Court come armed?
MICHAEL ORICK
Albuquerque
The first few are related to this thread: http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=62673
The last two are related to this thread: http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=64886
GUNS' PLACE IN SOCIETY
Article Took Correct Tack
I WOULD LIKE to commend the Journal on the excellent article concerning the qualification process in New Mexico for concealed-carry permits.
Most of the media in this country are anti-firearm and against the right to carry concealed firearms. The Journal article looked at the true issue— that law-abiding citizens have the right to carry a firearm in order to protect themselves and their families, and why they choose to do so.
I was pleased that there was no mention of the typical "the sky is falling" attitude expressed by most papers that the issuance of these permits will lead to gunfights in the streets and skyrocketing deaths from firearm incidents. All this has proven to be untrue in the 37 states that have right-to-carry laws on the books.
I am pleased that New Mexico has followed suit in allowing its citizenry to defend themselves. This now evens the playing field for those of us who have to contend with a criminal element that chooses not to follow the law and illegally carries firearms. They may think twice about whom they choose to rob or attack, for fear we may be armed.
STEVE FORCIER
Albuquerque
Result: Safer Gun Owners
... THE EXPANSION of the concealed handgun carry laws should make it safer for New Mexicans, as it has shown to be in other states.
The requirements for concealed-carry are far more stringent than for any other handgun owner or purchaser. Among these requirements are being 25 years old or older, a federal, state and local background check for felonies, misdemeanors or violence, DWI/DUI, addiction or possession of a controlled substance, mental incompetence, two fingerprint cards and a 15-hour firearms training class.
The class must include safe handling, safe storage, child safety, shooting fundamentals, live shooting at a firing range with each type and caliber of handgun to be carried, a review of federal, state and local criminal and civil laws pertaining to the purchase, ownership, transportation, use and possession of handguns, techniques for avoiding a criminal attack, how to control a violent confrontation and techniques for nonviolent resolution of conflicts.
This will most likely lead to a safer handgun owner— for himself and those around him. There will not be a big rush to go out and purchase more handguns as most of the New Mexico residents who will apply for this permit already own and carry handguns. ...
The people most likely to benefit from these laws are the people who can least afford it— the people who have to live and/or work in high-crime areas.
ROBERT SHUTTLES
Española
***not sure what to think of this next one.***
Embarrassment Behind Law
THE ARTICLE, "Aiming To Make the Grade," cites several scenarios in which writer D'Val Westphal suggests that carrying a gun would have prevented harm, or perhaps provided for self-defense. While I won't attempt to argue whether these assertions are credible, I want to point out that not a single one of these scenarios required a "concealed" weapon.
# (Use of) the fake injured baby to get into your house? You can keep a gun in your house without a concealed-carry permit.
# Gun in the car to fend off road rage? You can already carry a gun in your car, loaded, even in the glove compartment. Of course, according to what is described as the lesson of the class, one should be racing away, not reaching for a gun.
# Accosted by a panhandler? You can carry a gun in a holster in public places without a concealed carry permit or law. Perhaps seeing the gun, the panhandler wouldn't have to hit his victim with a brick.
Of course, most "sophisticated" people are embarrassed to be seen carrying a gun, even if they are pro-gun. That's what's behind a concealed-carry law. ...
As far as I can tell, there is no place you can carry a concealed weapon with the new permits that you couldn't already carry a gun, without a permit, as long as it was in plain view. This is a point that was virtually unspoken in the concealed-carry debate.
DAVID STRIP
Albuquerque
Protecting Loved Ones Wise
IT IS VERY discouraging to read the many letters and columns saying that concealed weapons are extremely dangerous and wanted only by kooks and crazies. The Journal's article, "Aiming To Make the Grade," made it clear that it is thoughtful, intelligent people who recognize the need to protect themselves and their loved ones.
In every state where concealed-carry has become legal, violent crimes have dropped. And the number of cases were permit holders have unwisely used their weapons is microscopic.
HAL ERWIN
Albuquerque
Four Rules Merit Reprint
I WISH TO commend D'Val Westphal for an excellent article on concealed-carry. The presentation of the issue was even-handed and accurate.
I also was very glad to see that the Journal printed the four rules of safe gun handling along with the threat avoidance information. I would even like to suggest that the four rules be re-printed in a larger format for folks to hang on their walls. ...
SEAN RODGERS
Albuquerque
Decision Endangers Court
IN THE HISTORY of Metro Court, I am not aware of any fatal incident inside the building. Only a fool would attempt anything inside a courtroom full of armed police officers. We now have unarmed certified and fully trained police officers in court, while we rely on armed security guards to provide security.
Does this make sense? This decision has the potential of a lethal risk to the officers and citizens alike. Has security started collecting all the blunt instruments of gavels from the judges? ...
ALEX MARENTES
Albuquerque
Why Unarmed Security?
SOME THINK the Metro Court isn't safe enough with armed police officers and deputies in the hallways and courtrooms. The concern is someone might grab their weapon and take it away from them and start shooting. It has happened in other courthouses around the country, so it could happen here, too.
What are our options?
We might be safer if we disarmed the officers and deputies. Can't grab a gun that isn't there. The fewer armed officers there are, the safer we will be. We might be safest if we disarmed all the officers in the courthouse— even the Metro Court security officers. Their guns might get snatched, too.
With no armed officers at all, we should have total safety. Maybe that's going too far? We obviously need some armed officers in the courthouse. If someone does grab a gun from whatever armed officer they are near, do you want to be down range sitting or standing next to another unarmed officer, or another armed officer? Do you want more officers around who can shoot back, or more officers around who are just another target?
If a few armed officers is still a good idea, maybe we would be twice as safe with twice as many around? Three times as safe with three times as many? Hey, I have a great idea! Why not just let all the officers in Metro Court come armed?
MICHAEL ORICK
Albuquerque
Last edited: