Letter to the Editor: Legal license-holders not danger in parks

April 21, 2004
Columbus Dispatch

I was disturbed to hear Mayor Michael B. Coleman rail against the new concealed-carry legislation (Dispatch article, April 9). This piece of legislation has had more attention from Columbus residents and the local media than any other news item except the war in Iraq, and he just now found out about it?

If he wants to protect the people who use the parks, he should find ways to put more police on the streets instead of arguing against Columbus residents lawfully protecting themselves.

The person I am afraid of in a public park is not the one who goes to the local sheriff and gets a permit to legally carry a firearm after a background check and mandated training in gun safety. The person I am afraid of is the one wearing gang colors and carrying a Saturday night special, hoping that I am unarmed.

It is time that Coleman is held accountable for decisions that he has made with our tax dollars that take police officers and firefighters off the streets and generally contribute to the deterioration of the city. I have seen surveys indicating that as much as 80 percent of the public believes that the new law will help reduce crime. It is really time for Coleman to get off of his soapbox and get on the bandwagon.

PETER LaBIANCA
Dublin

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