More Firearms Equal More Grief, Loss of Life

The Columbus Dispatch ^ | 26 December 2003 | Officer Pat Barr

[buccaneer81]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Local/State > Editorials More firearms equal more grief, loss of life Friday, December 26, 2003

As the debate over the concealed carry of handguns continues, I am baffled that any law-enforcement officer or agency would come out in favor of the bill. I applaud Gov. Bob Taft; obviously, he is a man of conviction and common sense.

I have yet to hear the pro-carry people explain why putting several thousand more guns out on the street is a good idea and how that would make us all safer.

There have been about 105 homicides in just Columbus this year, many of them involving firearms. Without looking at the statistics, I’ll bet not one of the firearms used was a weapon registered to the suspect, purchased legally or that the suspect completed any firearms training.

Folks, I have a newsflash for you: Most of the firearms used in shooting and homicide incidents are stolen during burglaries or from automobiles. Very rarely are they legitimately owned.

I have been a police officer in Columbus for almost 24 years. Having spent most of that time on the street and in homicide, I have knocked on many doors to tell family members that someone they loved wouldn’t be coming home because someone with a firearm had ended their loved one’s life.

I watched the TV coverage of the "peaceful" pro-carry rally at the Statehouse by those who claim it is their right to carry a firearm. One man was wearing a pearl-handled .44 Magnum in a Western-style holster. He’s just what we need standing in line next to a family while they wait to get into a Blue Jackets game. After years of seeing firsthand the grief, suffering and loss of life, quite frankly the thought makes me sick.

And these same people are fighting public access to records of the people issued permits to carry concealed firearms. Well, it’s my right, should this bill ever pass, God forbid, to know who they are!

OFFICER PAT BARR

Columbus Division of Police

[EGPWS]

I have yet to hear the pro-carry people explain why putting several thousand more guns out on the street is a good idea and how that would make us all safer.

Well then let me explain it.....alas, again, for you Mr. Barr. The pro-carry people understand that some people are violent and as long as they are on the streets, gun or no gun, they will perpetuate violence. Guns don't perpetuate violence. A criminal with a gun does. A law abiding citizen with a gun prevents crime. Thus, since a criminal IS a criminal, said criminal will acquire ANY tools they can legally or illegally to perpetuate their criminal activities.

A law abiding citizen, as been proven to be such by willingly accepting extensive background checks, and this being the case can ONLY be a nuisance to the criminally minded if allowed to defend themselves in the act of a crime.

Good people with guns + bad people with guns = crime prevention. Bad people with guns + good people without guns = an open hand for the criminals to perpetuate their criminal actions without concern.

End of rant.

[kiriath_jearim]

"I have yet to hear the pro-carry people explain why putting several thousand more guns out on the street is a good idea and how that would make us all safer. "

* * * *

Who is putting guns "on the street"? It's about putting guns in law-abiding people's holsters next to their law-abiding bodies.

[EveningStar]

Officer Pat Barr on the job.

[Abe Froman]

I watched the TV coverage of the "peaceful" pro-carry rally at the Statehouse by those who claim it is their right to carry a firearm. One man was wearing a pearl-handled .44 Magnum in a Western-style holster. He’s just what we need standing in line next to a family while they wait to get into a Blue Jackets game. After years of seeing firsthand the grief, suffering and loss of life, quite frankly the thought makes me sick.

Then grab your barfbag dude. Your sickness is not our problem. I don't see any right in the constitution guaranteeing the right "not to be made ill". However the 2nd amendment is quite clear.

[CHICAGOFARMER]

Excellent letter! But the slobberin', donut eating dumbass won't get it.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Just got a call from the Columbus Dispatch.

They were calling to ask if it was ok to run my letter to the editor.

Give me a call if you see it run.

12.31.2003 4:00pm phone call.

Chicagofarmer

[Hot Tabasco]

Just got a call from the Columbus Dispatch. They were calling to ask if it was ok to run my letter to the editor.

I sent in a letter also and received a phone call from them a couple hours ago. They just wanted to verify that I was the letter writer and said that they may or may not print my response.......

[CHICAGOFARMER]

I sent in a letter also and received a phone call from them a couple hours ago. They just wanted to verify that I was the letter writer and said that they may or may not print my response.....

xxxxxxxxxxxx

Same line here.

But I would be privilaged to have a Illinois citizen have my letter published in a Columbus OH readership.

Drop a note if our letters hit.