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After reading this article, I wrote a letter to the Cherry Valley Chief of Police. I have posted it here for you to read.
Gary,
I believe you are over reacting about people who carry firearms. Personally
I have never had "Bad Things" happen during my many years of concealed carry. I
can actually give examples of "Bad Things" I stopped because I had my pistol
with me.
First: A woman in my apartment building was being beaten by her estranged
boyfriend. The whole building could hear it happening. I called 911 as did many
other units. I heard her escape him into the hallway, and I went out there with
my pistol. She ran past me and he was a ways behind. He looked at me as said
"What the **** do you want?" and then saw the pistol in my hand. He stopped
and made his way directly to the stairs. The woman was then let into my
apartment until police and ems arrived. She was taken to a local hospital for
treatment. I gave my statement to the police, to wit one officer thanked me for
helping.
Second: A friend and I were driving down one of the main roads of my
hometown. We were both amazed to see a fight break out in the middle of traffic
in which one of the parties was trying to beat a black man with a chain. It was
apparent that he was trying to do more than hurt him. We stopped our vehicle and
drew arms as both of us were licensed to carry. I called 911 at the same time.
With in moments we had police arrive and take over the scene. Again, I was
thanked for our involvement.
(Please note that in both of these I never even had to fire my
pistol.)
Sir, are you ignorant of the facts that having licensed, trained citizens
would actually help your efforts in controlling crime? I didn't just get one
permit, but I have three and am getting a forth. In addition to this I have
taken classes beyond what was needed to get my permits. I have even been invited
to shoot with some officers, and have out shot quite a few on a regular basis,
however not all. My point is that nationally many states have Concealed Weapons
Permits, and the feared blood shed and wild west antics have never happened.
Actually as a result, many state have experienced very noticeable drops in their
crime rates.
I will support your standing that citizens should not be allowed to carry
guns for self defense when you can promise me that all police departments can
respond in under a minute to ALL situations regardless of their ability to call
911 or not. You and I know this will NEVER happen.
Why not instead help in developing a program which involves background
checks, training, and testing which when someone passes the aforementioned,
receives a permit? Did Minnesota explode into mad gunfights once the permits
became "Shall Issue"? We both know the answer was a resounding NO. Neither did
this happen in any other state that allows "Shall Issue" permits.
In addition to this, I saw you said "But I'm not aware of any police
officer who would advocate more handguns on the street." I am curious of this,
because every officer I have ever met so far but one have supported concealed
weapons when it involved permitted citizens. Maybe your officers are quite
different.
Sir, even though I am not a citizen of your state, I ask you to please
examine the facts which are evident in many other states that permitted citizens
help reduce crime, and save lives. Allow your people to defend themselves and
others from crime. Allow your people the ability to decide for themselves. I too
do not want ALL people armed, but make it that the few who decide to take up
this right and great responsibility to help keep all of us safer that they have
a way to do it, and not be criminals for doing such.
In closing, I have to thank you and all of your officers who put your lives
on the line daily to defend and protect us, the citizens of this great country.
Please keep yourself and your officers safe so you all can go home to your
families at night, and I hope in time, give that ability to the law abiding
citizens of your area.
God Bless,
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