Roanoke Times OP Ed

Responsible gun ownership

Roger E. Weddle

Weddle lives in Roanoke.


Dan Casey, in his column "Getting permit was the easy part" (Aug. 30), demonstrated the main difference between conservatives and liberals in American society. Unsurprisingly, Casey takes a dim view of our liberty to bear arms in this country, one of the first rights granted in our Constitution.

There is a reason for the bipartisan support for the law that does not require the type of restrictions Casey desires. Maybe it is because it is not needed. Individuals who decide to exercise their right to carry a firearm, concealed or not, have a responsibility to be familiar with the firearm.

With any right there is responsibility, whether it is the right to bear arms, freedom of speech or, dare I say, freedom of the press. Freedom of speech does not allow one to shout "fire" in a movie theater when there is no fire. Freedom of the press does not allow libel. The right to assemble does not permit violent demonstration. There is a certain level of responsibility with each of our rights.

In the liberal world, it is up to the government to protect us from ourselves and to make up laws where there is no problem. This is a common theme with liberalism. Its adherents create crises where none exist then legislate and regulate to promote an agenda.

Our country is suffering the consequences of this tactic, which is used by the current presidential administration. These consequences will reach far into the future.

Of course, Casey's article had a dual purpose. Not only did he bemoan our constitutional right, but he also sought to smear Sen. Ken Cuccinelli, the Republican attorney general candidate, who received a $1,000 campaign donation from Concealed Carry Institute owner Roger Marcus.

It was not until the end of the column that Casey mentioned that Democratic candidate Steve Shannon also voted for the bill.

Under this type of reasoning, should we be concerned about Shannon's campaign contributions from Freedom Bail Bonding of Fairfax ($2,500) and Virginia AFL-CIO ($25,000) or the $6,500 Service Employees International Union Local 32BJ "American Dream Fund" from New York, an organization that has donated a total of $44,973 exclusively to Democratic candidates?

Why not do some real investigative journalism and give us examples where some of the 203,132 Virginians who hold permits to carry are shooting themselves in the foot or committing crimes? Show us areas in the country where concealed carry permits have been instituted and thereafter had an increase in the crime rate.

Stop complaining about our rights and our liberties. If Casey doesn't feel competent in carrying a concealed handgun, then he shouldn't. To do so would be stupid.

I'm sure there are plenty of criminals carrying handguns who have plenty of experience and knowledge in gun safety. I hope this is some comfort to Casey.

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