PROP B: MAKING THE CASE FOR AND AGAINST; WIDE SUPPORT FOR GUNS

To the editor:

My wife and I just completed a 12-state trip. We decided to talk to people about the right-to-carry issue. I'm not an official poll taker, so I don't know how it would be rated. All I know is the answers we received.

We talked to people in all walks of life and asked if they favored or disfavored the right of American citizens to carry concealed firearms. We included women whenever possible. The answer was invariably yes to carrying firearms for protection.

We asked a group of six people traveling in recreational vehicles. We were told by one them he was in favor. When asked if they had concealed firearms, we were told, "I won't comment directly, but I will tell you we are prepared to defend ourselves under any circumstances."

We talked to two deputy sheriffs in central Texas. They were very empathetic about the issue. They told us it absolutely helps them. Criminals' not knowing if a citizen is armed is a great deterrent. They told us most prosecutors see the side of firearm violence only from the floors in the courtrooms. For the most part, it is a total fallacy that people who have confrontations with clubs, hammers and fists would have used a firearm, since firearms are as readily available as any other weapon.

We had a very interesting conversation with a group of truckers in eastern Colorado. Among them were two women drivers. They said they were very much in favor of carrying firearms, but they knew one trucker who wasn't. When he was asked about it, he said, "I wouldn't rob anyone around here. They all carry guns."

Our law officers are overwhelmed with crime. Self-defense weapons are a deterrent to criminals who would deprive you of your property, your functions and even of the life of your loved ones and yourself.

Does anyone of reasonable intelligence believe for one second that laws against the right to carry self-defense weapons by lawful American citizens deter criminals in any way? Of course not.

Don't let anyone try to tell you by deceit, false statistics or outright falsehoods any different. On election day, vote for your right as an American to carry a firearm for your protection.

WILLIAM C. HANCOCK

Scott City