Letter to the Editor: "Gun-carrying legislation could help cut crime"

A pro-CCW reform letter to the editor was printed in the Thursday, January 23 edition of the Canton Repository. An excerpt is reprinted here:

I don’t agree with the State Highway Patrol’s opposing the Ohio Senate gun-carrying legislation (“Ohio Senate approves gun-carrying legislation,” Dec. 7).

Law abiding citizens, like myself, who want to be prepared and are not planning on hurting a police officer or anyone else, will take the time to get a permit. An unlawful citizen who is not obeying the laws won’t bother getting a permit but will carry a concealed weapon anyway.

This law may reduce crime. A criminal may think twice about robbing someone if he thinks that they might also have a gun to protect themselves.

Sen. Jeff Jacobson said legislation reflects the Ohio Constitution, which allows individuals to arm themselves. I think that the police officers who are opposed to the Ohio Senate gun-carrying legislation should let informed, safety-minded citizens make up their own minds to protect themselves or not. Not all citizens will carry, but all criminals do.

ANGELA GIRARD
ALLIANCE