Letter to the Editor: Do us a favor, ban the rapists

September 1, 2004
Port Clinton News Herald

If cities can guarantee safety in parks, then they can ban guns in the parks

This is in response to your editorial of Thursday, Aug. 19, in regards to cities having the right to ban guns from parks. Once again the editors of The News-Messenger have demonstrated their bias and complete lack of understanding of anything relevant to what they are writing about.

You say it is too bad that cities can ban skateboarding, grilling, loitering, walking a dog, being an unlicensed vendor, riding a bike or driving a car and not ban guns. Where in the State or Federal Constitutions are these things declared as guaranteed rights that shall not be infringed?

You were able to write that article because of your constitutionally protected right to freedom of the press. Using only that very freedom with no evident understanding of the existence of any other rights, you completely fail to realize the nature of the right to keep and bear arms. Thanks for demonstrating your complete ignorance once again.

How about this: When cities can ban criminals, rapists, molesters, robbers, and attackers from their parks, then they can ban guns. Also keep in mind that the cities will have to guarantee 100 percent that these criminals, rapists, molesters, robbers, and attackers will never show up illegally once the ban is put in place.

Or better yet, when cities can post the exact time and location of criminal activity in their parks, then the law-abiding citizens can avoid those areas during those times.

Perhaps you should stick to reporting the facts and the news and stop trying to mislead your readers with your biased opinions.

John Salyers
Port Clinton

EDITOR'S NOTE: In passing the concealed carry law, the state has, in fact, "infringed" on this right by setting aside places such as businesses, bars, churches and public buildings of a municipality where concealed weapons can be prohibited. We believe that list should also include city-owned parks.

Commentary:
Despite repeated requests, none of the newspaper editors, gun ban advocates, or anti-CCW legislators have provided any proof of the need for city parks to be listed among the victim zones. Note that the editors ignored another opportunity to do so here, by ignoring the entire focus of this well-reasoned letter.

Related Stories:
Letter to the Editor: Clyde, editors should know better

Op-Ed: Cities should have right to ban guns from parks