Concealed-carry benefits society

To the editor:

In September 2003, the Missouri Legislature overrode then-governor Bob Holden's veto of the concealed-carry bill. Three years later, there are only two states that do not have some type of concealed-carry provision and deny their citizens the God-given right to self-defense.

Thanks to bipartisan support in the Missouri Legislature, we have a law which provides the citizens of Missouri this right. The opponents argued that there would be gunfights in the streets and general mayhem. They were simply wrong. Allowing law-abiding citizens the right to carry has been a benefit to society.

DRU C. REEVES, Cape Girardeau