Letter to the Editor: Gun rules make people unsafe

01.20.2004
Lima News

Once again, the powers that be in Ohio -- the governor and the highway
patrol -- have missed the mark. It's about time for us to enjoy our
constitutional right to bear arms in this state.

My comments are directed primarily toward the concealed carrying of a
firearm in a vehicle. I am led to believe the proposed idea by law
enforcement is to allow a firearm to be carried totally concealed in any
circumstance or situation except when driving or riding in a vehicle. In
that circumstance, it is suggested or mandated that we wear our guns in
plain sight in a holster on our person. Are we then to keep a holster in
our cars, slip it on, take the gun from our pocket or concealed holster
and place it into and take it out of the exposed holster every time we
get into and out of our cars? If so, this is not only silly, but dangerous.

Having been a certified firearms rangemaster in the Navy and having
carried concealed on occasion, one of the first rules of doing so is to
"leave the gun in the holster at all times unless you are going to use
it." The less you handle the gun when carrying, the less apt you are to
create a potentially hazardous situation such as accidental discharge. I
get the feeling that those people enacting the laws concerning carrying
guns have never actually shot one, carried one or know anything about
them. If we are able to carry concealed, then let's leave the weapon
concealed. It is the safest way by far.

DENNIS CUNNINGHAM
Lima