My local newspaper is a little left leaning on the gun control matter but they are willing to hear our side. The following is a write-up I had printed today. The front page of their op-ed section was devoted to pro and con on whether gun restrictions should be loosened. My piece represented the pro side. The context is we just had a CCW bill pass and the antis are in an uproar about "guns in the streets" (you know the rest) and are trying to kill the bill before it becomes effective July 1st. Needless to say I was honored and it was encouraging for me to keep up the fight. Therefore I share with you ,my fellow TFL'ers, so you may be encouraged as well to stand firm and maybe even write YOUR paper.
Having just completed my three day CCW class I want your readers to know what it was like for twenty-one people of various ages and both sexes. This class is typical of what one must complete to obtain a concealed carry permit and it complied fully with NRA guidelines and Michigan law.
My classmates were obviously stable adults, some with firearms experience, some with none. You could readily see these people are interested in exercising their right to self defense but not wishing to kill anyone. These are not people that are going to have gunfights over parking spaces or insults. These men and women have no desire to kill. These are your fellow citizens that DO have a strong desire to be law abiding and be able to protect themselves. We were taught a handgun's only purpose is a last resort method of stopping a deadly attack. Please note I said STOP not kill, stopping is the desired result not the death of another person.
We were taught the types of handguns and their safe operation. We carefully looked at the law, and examined personal attitudes. Emphasis was on avoidance of conflict and duty to retreat, if possible. Only when there is nowhere to go is the firearm pulled and then only if it is to be used against a life threatening assault.
We then practiced, for several hours, safe operation of our handguns with actual shooting. As you operate your weapon you quickly get a sense of its awesome power; this is very serious business. Again, the emphasis was always on safety. This is the mindset that was instilled in us-responsibility and safety.
Now I ask you, do you fear people like this? People conscious of their responsibility in carrying a handgun. People that have demonstrated to a certified NRA instructor their ability to use it properly and safely with the correct attitude.
The public has nothing to worry about. However, the burglar, rapist, and street thug surely does. THIS is why the crime rate in our state will go down and our citizens will be safer. This is the effect every time a state allows concealed carry freedom, why would Michigan be any different?
Having just completed my three day CCW class I want your readers to know what it was like for twenty-one people of various ages and both sexes. This class is typical of what one must complete to obtain a concealed carry permit and it complied fully with NRA guidelines and Michigan law.
My classmates were obviously stable adults, some with firearms experience, some with none. You could readily see these people are interested in exercising their right to self defense but not wishing to kill anyone. These are not people that are going to have gunfights over parking spaces or insults. These men and women have no desire to kill. These are your fellow citizens that DO have a strong desire to be law abiding and be able to protect themselves. We were taught a handgun's only purpose is a last resort method of stopping a deadly attack. Please note I said STOP not kill, stopping is the desired result not the death of another person.
We were taught the types of handguns and their safe operation. We carefully looked at the law, and examined personal attitudes. Emphasis was on avoidance of conflict and duty to retreat, if possible. Only when there is nowhere to go is the firearm pulled and then only if it is to be used against a life threatening assault.
We then practiced, for several hours, safe operation of our handguns with actual shooting. As you operate your weapon you quickly get a sense of its awesome power; this is very serious business. Again, the emphasis was always on safety. This is the mindset that was instilled in us-responsibility and safety.
Now I ask you, do you fear people like this? People conscious of their responsibility in carrying a handgun. People that have demonstrated to a certified NRA instructor their ability to use it properly and safely with the correct attitude.
The public has nothing to worry about. However, the burglar, rapist, and street thug surely does. THIS is why the crime rate in our state will go down and our citizens will be safer. This is the effect every time a state allows concealed carry freedom, why would Michigan be any different?