Before you allow Pat Murphy to go on an uninformed rant regarding the National Rifle Association and its support of those of us who are responsible, law-abiding Americans who choose to accept the responsibility of carrying concealed weapons, please have him first take the time to check his facts.
Mr. Murphy stated: "Where does the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution—"A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed"—grant unrestricted "rights" to gun owners?" The individual right to keep and to bear, i.e. carry, arms was recently affirmed by the Supreme Court of the United States in Heller vs. the District of Columbia.
Mr. Murphy would also be well served if he were to check the undeniable statistics compiled by the U.S. Justice Department on violent crime and murder. The facts clearly show that states that have permitted law-abiding Americans to carry concealed firearms have consistently demonstrated significant reductions in murders, violent crime and frequent reductions in property crime. The facts speak for themselves.
"Concealed carry" has been around in this country for quite some time and the unfounded fears of "Wild West shootouts on the streets" have proved to be just that, unfounded. When law-abiding citizens lawfully arm themselves, crime is reduced.
Gun-free zones—such as establishments serving alcohol, public buildings, schools, some shopping malls, churches and others—have been the places of choice for deranged criminals on shooting sprees. Coincidence? I think not.
Please responsibly present the facts and opposing points of view.
David Baumgartner
Lindale, Texas
