If the penalty for driving over the posted speed limit was: 1. You lose your driver's license (most likely forever!) 2. you're thrown in jail 3. you're fined 4. police confiscate your car/truck and 5. potentially lose your job. - Would you go over the speed limit? I hazard to guess you would not. However, if you or a loved one was seriously injured and you're headed to the emergency room, I bet you would speed just to save their life.
Think about that a little, to save a life you're willing to potentially lose a lot of freedoms. I recently had a conversation with an anti-gun person that kept making the argument that if people with canceled carry permits were allowed to carry on college campuses/hospitals, etc., that you'd have people pulling their weapons out and waving them around. Re-read the first sentence and instead of speeding, you're caught pulling your weapon out in public. 1. You lose your concealed carry permit (most likely forever!) 2. you're thrown in jail 3. you're fined 4. police confiscate your weapon and 5. potentially lose your job. Pretty serious.
There are a lot of concealed carry holders in this area and you don't hear about crazy people brandishing their guns, because, in my opinion, concealed carry holders know there are serious consequences. However, given a situation where someone was threatening another's life we would be willing to risk our freedoms to protect that life.
Another issue I feel strongly about is that for a private businesses to post a sign that guns are not permitted is a bad choice. Criminals don't honor laws to begin with and will walk right through a no gun sign. They will feel more confident about their chances of committing the crime, due to knowing there will be very little resistance to their actions.
Ever shop at Wal-Mart? Kroger? Lowe's? Pay for gas at a convenience store? Did you feel uneasy? Probably not, but I can guarantee you that there has been a responsible person with a concealed carry license and a gun within a few feet of you. You never knew, because the weapon was concealed.
Law abiding citizens who choose to carry a concealed weapon do not go looking for a gun fight. More likely they pray they never have to pull their weapon, but would rather be prepared for a situation that calls for it than not. Keep in mind that pulling your weapon is the start of a very bad day, but it may save lives.
Christopher Enoch
Parkersburg
