LETTERS: VOTE NO ON PROP B TO PROTECT KIDS

To the editor:

This is a "what if" letter. As a grandfather of a 6-year-old boy and two little girls ages 7 and 13, I feel compelled to write. I beg everyone to consider all the children when they are deciding whether to vote for or against Proposition B.I have heard how the people will be screened and will have to take 12 hours of training before being given a permit to carry their concealed weapons. I'm sure only good, mentally stable people will be allowed to carry. I'm sure 12 hours of training will be sufficient to learn proper safety techniques. These things don't concern me.

What scares me to death is one of my grandchildren might be in the car of one of their friends' mentally stable parents, and there is a loaded gun in the glove compartment, under the seat or in the side pocket of the door. What if the parent didn't notice the child reaching down and picking it up? What if the parent ran into the cleaners to pick up the dry cleaning and the children were left alone in the car and the child decided to show the gun to my grandchild? What if the mom had a gun in her purse and what if her daughter wanted to try Mommy's new lipstick and went to Mommy's purse to get it.

I'm sure you get the picture. Please don't vote for Proposition B. It just give ones more chance for a loaded gun to easily get into the hands of a child. Please consider the children.

MELVIN DOCKINS SR.

Cape Girardeau