Every time this issue comes up, law abiding gun owners ask questions and are subjected to ridicule, or patronizing comments. Just answer the questions, folks. Such as "How come the States that have shall issue concealed weapons permits have lower violent crime rates, while places like DC (with it's strict gun laws) have higher rates of violent crime?".

How is it that taking away guns from folks that own them and use them responsibly, will lower crime from those that gain them and own them illegally?

Even the slant of the article above uses these hysteria laden arguments. They give the same weight to one citizen who says she won't cross into VA again as they do the comments of a number of legislators and advocates who indicate the State is safer.

In my home State of Michigan a "shall issue" permit system was installed several years ago over the ranting of those saying there would be a bloodbath. To date the bloodbath hasn't occurred nor have there been any shootouts that I am aware of involving legal gunowners.

I don't expect folks that haven't been raised here to understand all this, but the simple fact is that allowing law abiding citizens to carry a weapon lowers the violent crime rate.

What about accidental shootings where a gun is not properly secured? First off, statistically it rarely happens. But this is one gun owner who believes that the penalties should be very harsh and rigidly enforced. If you are going to own and carry a deadly weapon, it is your responsibility to be properly trained, well practiced, and ultimately responsible for the security of that weapon. There should be no leniency for lax security violations.

Mick