In response to Edward Murphy's Jan. 21 letter concerning those who carry a concealed weapon: Instead of dealing with facts and statistics, Murphy would rather propagate his personal delusions by spreading inaccurate, emotionally-charged accusations. He states that 99.9 percent of those who carry concealed weapons are paranoid, sick individuals who thrive on the possibility of becoming a hero. I don't know how Murphy knows so much about people who carry concealed weapons, but the simple truth is: The great majority of people who carry a gun hope they never, ever have to use it to defend themselves. They are peaceful citizens who believe it is not unethical to protect themselves, rather than Murphy's distorted view that would result in more helpless victims on the evening news.
What is difficult for some people to understand is that criminals have always carried concealed weapons. They don't worry about laws when they commit crimes. So what is so unreasonable about law-abiding citizens having the right to protect themselves and their families?
Joe Dunn, Chandler
EmperorSmith posted at 2:54 pm on Mon, Feb 7, 2011.
I can not speak for liberty but say I was there and had my carry gun. I see 2 scenarios.
hesitate, draw and yell.
Or draw and shoot.
but it would depend on what you see.
But you have to condition yourself to do the latter because as Rich pointed out it is suicide otherwise.
Dale Whiting posted at 8:49 am on Mon, Feb 7, 2011.
Lady Liberty,
Put youself in the shoes of that concealed carrier in Tucson who ran outside of the Walgrens pistol drawn only to see a man with gun in hand. The firing had stopped. Even he admitted that it was lucky that he did not shoot first and ask questions later.
It is one thing to know that you can kill something you aim for. But is quite another thing to know if and when you should draw and take aim.
I'll wait patiently for your reply!
Lady Liberty posted at 5:20 pm on Sat, Feb 5, 2011.
I am one of those "paranoid, sick" people you accuse of being for carrying a concealed weapon. Not only do I know how to use it, I practice, and I have seen up close and personal exactly what I can do to someone I may have to use it against. I do not take this responsibility lightly. I have/will be attending numerous classes in the use and restraint of my weapon. I don't ever want to be a hero, I want to have the right to protect myself and my children. Not only is it constitutionally my right to do so it is yours also. You wouldn't know if I was carrying or not, it isn't obvious, for a reason. Remember that the next time you accuse us paranoid/sick people who carry.
Thank you Mr. Dunn for such a glowing endorsement.
EmperorSmith posted at 2:42 pm on Sat, Feb 5, 2011.
Don't care because we are free. die a fool not knowing how to use a gun. I won't weep on the grave
Carolyn posted at 2:35 pm on Sat, Feb 5, 2011.
Those who carry concealed weapons are NOT paranoid. Before the IDIOT we now have sitting in the governor's chair, those concealed-weapons people had to possess a permit which showed they had passed background checks and had received safety and skills training...in other words, before "Gov." Brewer took office, only those who had proven themselves somewhat to be responsible, accountable people were allowed to carry concealed weapons. Now, of course, any moron can carry a guy, concealed or otherwise. Guns should not be "taken away," but all of them should be registered....and anyone who is against registration of firearms obviously has things to hide.
LinMesa posted at 11:02 am on Sat, Feb 5, 2011.
Not even mentioned in the article is the fact that training to use a gun is no longer required to be able to carry concealed and that our idiot legislators want to pass a law allowing kids to carry a gun on campuses. Do you really think they are mature enough even though I'm sure they would think it would be "cool".
Dale Whiting posted at 10:19 am on Sat, Feb 5, 2011.
Joe,
Not unlike you, I commented critically on the Murphy article. But unlike you, my comments did adress a matter which very few if any gun carriers from whom we have heard mention, the actual use of that weapon defensively.
If I recall correctly, several of our regular commenters are former law enforcement officers. They have kept quiet. Just think about what might have happened in Tucson on Jan 8th if that one concealed carrier who heard shots from inside the Walgreens and running outside, had met any resistence from the man he saw with gun in hand.
Untrained and unofficial milita protectors of the peace can and occasionally do do more harm than good.
Your comments please. Let's not be so one sided on this problem.