Concealed carriers are the good guys

[MP_OHIO]

I found this a nice read and a good reminder...



I am a member of the most law-abiding group of U.S. citizens in the history of our country. I have a concealed carry permit. This means I have never behaved badly enough to get convicted of a felony. I have never acted bizarre enough to be diagnosed with a dangerous mental illness.

The United States government could find no reason why I should not have the choice to carry a gun. I am one of the good guys. And the record proves it.

I recognize that as a citizen I have certain responsibilities; my own protection and that of my family. I love living in a country where the police do a fine job of enforcing the law. We have a government that protects its citizens rather than shoots them. While the risk of a violent encounter between an innocent victim and a thug is low, it still happens. If it does, I also recognize that when seconds count, the police are minutes away. There is an abundant record of armed citizens exercising their rights to defend themselves (with the best technology they can afford) against a violent assailant long before any police could arrive to protect them. This happens daily.

There are well-meaning people today who are worried of the problems they associate with allowing citizens to exercise their rights, especially in places other than their homes. These well-meaning people worry about “what if.” They have been worrying about “what if” since Florida began the concealed carry rights movement. These well-meaning people have been saying for years that the blood would flow in the streets if we allowed just anyone to choose to bear arms. These well-meaning people are more afraid of a law-abiding, armed citizens, than an actual thug among them.

Many places around the country have moved closer to “allowing” full Second Amendment rights. To date, this has only been a good thing. Every place that “allowed” law-abiding citizens to exercise their constitutionally protected rights has seen improved safety and less crime. For example, when Washington, D.C., ended the total ban on handguns, within a year that crime ridden city saw its largest drop in crime in 20 years.

Those of us who choose to bear the responsibility of ourselves, and our families, own personal safety are concerned about things that seldom, but do, happen. That concern does not disappear when we leave home. Yet well-meaning people who have fears about things that have never happened, would pass laws that restrict the exercise of those rights.

Please remind your representatives that their job is to protect all rights, not just the ones they believe in.

Pat Orsban has been a registered nurse in the Asheville area since 1983. He lives in Fairview.

[hyperdog]

[bman505]

Nicely said! Couldn't agree more.

[djv38]

Very true. Too bad those who have a no-carry policy are too blind to realize that their signs don't stop the non-law-abiding criminals from carrying. Worrying about the wrong group people.

[ASoaringPenguin]

Amen.

[SONYtec]

[M1P90]

Great post!