LETTERS: PROPOSITION B. WOULD HELP WOMEN THE MOST

To the editor:

Women are most often the victims of violent crime, and we would benefit the most if Prop B passes. Studies conducted by Professor John Lott at the University of Chicago Law School show that for each additional woman carrying a firearm for personal protection, the morder rate for women is reduced by three to four times more than for each additional men carrying a firearm.

It's nice to know that if I need to carry a gun in my car when I'm on a trip with my children, I could do it legally. Prop B would allow this. Currently, this is a felony in Missouri. When I travel I also carry a cell phone in case of emergency, but if I break down and am approached by thugs, a cell phone alone doesn't exactly strike terror into their hearts.

Thirty-one states already have right-to-carry laws similar to the one proposed in Prop B, and 12 others have some provision for concealed carry. Look at the data in these states. Violent crime has gone down since the law was passed. Typically only 1 percent to 4 percent of citizens get concealed-carry permits, yet everyone benefits because the criminals don't know which potential victim is armed.

Nationwide, people who get concealed-carry permits are extremely law-abiding. In fact, off-duty police officers nationwide commit more crimes than concealed-carry permit holders.

On a more personal not, I know two women who were raped. In both cases, a concealed-carry handgun could have prevented these tragedies. A concealed handgun might not stop every crime, but it would stop many. At least it gives you another option. You can always choose not to use it if you have it with you, but if you don't have it, you have no choice.

It'ds rather like a smoke detector in my house. I've never had a house fire, but I want the insurance of a smoke detector. With a concealed-carry handgun, I'd rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

The bottom line is that concealed-carry reduces violent crime. Please don't deny me and other women the right to legally carry for self-defense. Vote yes for Prop B on April 6.

CONNIE BLOODWORTH

Jackson