LTEs: Responsible gun owners not a threat

It it apparent greater-Cincinnatians have a better understanding of the responsibility of law-abiding citizens and the nature of criminals than Miami Twp. Trustee Ken Tracy does...

August 27, 2006
Cincinnati Enquirer

Miami Township Trustee Ken Tracy bemoans the fact that Ohio citizens who have passed a background check, demonstrated a high level of proficiency, and met state-established criteria can carry concealed a weapon into township parks. He asserts "citizens have the right to protect our children" and "where has this left us, especially those who are elected to protect residents and children?"

Those are good points. Does that mean Tracy will be present in every Miami Township park during all operational times to provide that protection? I've spent hours at the community park on Buckwheat Road with my daughter and never seen a township patrol car there. Isn't it possible that the mother or father legally carrying a firearm is doing just that - protecting themselves and their children?

A firearm in the hands of a responsible owner is not a threat.

Mike Perry
Milford

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BASEBALL BATS ALSO COULD POSE A DANGER

In the column "Guns don't belong in parks" (Aug. 23), please understand that the writer is talking about concealed firearms that are being legally carried by law-abiding citizens that have undergone 12-plus hours of formal instruction on the use of their firearm, passed a criminal background check and demonstrated proficiency with their firearm.

All I can say to the writer is that guns don't belong in parks anymore than baseball bats do. Both are inanimate objects, with no free will, which can do nothing until acted upon by an individual. Both can be used to inflict serious bodily injury. Both can be used for self-defense. It all depends on the person who is using them.

Paul Niemeyer
South Lebanon

ANY ADDITIONAL SECURITY A GOOD THING

Ken Tracy's idea for selectively prohibiting lawful concealed carry in parks smacks of inexperience with the criminal element. The lawful carrying of firearms, anywhere, affords an additional increment of security and, potentially, protection from maniacs the likes of which have terrified most of us many times over the years.

Crooks are opportunists, pure and simple, and when you take away a significant percentage of any risk they might encounter an armed lawful person, they see a green light. I respectfully suggest that the more lawful and qualified citizens there are with concealed weapons, the greater the risk perceived by the bad guys, who, incidentally, don't care what the law is in the first place. For a safer park, or anywhere else for that matter, let's keep the dirt bags worried about the odds of a successful attack.

James R. Holt
Delhi Township

MOST CARRY GUNS TO PROTECT FAMILIES

In response to Miami Township Trustee Ken Tracy's column "Guns don't belong in our parks" (Aug. 23), I am thankful that I am not a Miami Township resident under Tracy's careful watch. With elected officials like him responsible to "protect" us, who really needs enemies?

I would point out to Tracy that many, if not most, of the residents carrying weapons under their permit are likely visiting the parks with their spouse and child(ren). I would guess that many of those same children understand more about freedom, liberty and the U.S. Constitution than Tracy. I would inquire as to how many crimes are committed in parks - from Tracy's viewpoint, these parks must be crime-free zones.

I would suggest that Miami Township print signs for the parks reading as follows: "Defenseless Citizens Here (yes, children included)." That should do well in keeping the variety of criminals out. While Tracy may not as of yet heard from the gun-owning residents of Miami Township, I believe he will, and the question will not be "Can I keep my gun?" but rather "Can I have my vote back?" Now that's obvious.

Robert E. Sheets
Sycamore Township

'NO GUNS ALLOWED' INVITES CRIMINALS

I take issue with the column by Ken Tracy "Guns don't belong in our parks" (Aug. 23). The license for concealed carry is to a person that has complied with all of the regulations (local, state, and federal) to protect only themselves and family, only if endangered life saving. The reason you get attacked in enclosed buildings in parks is because you have no defense allowed. More than 80,000 Ohio licenses have been issued. Places that notify of no guns allowed are the targets for criminals - the banks, small stores with one or two night-time clerks.

Then rich people hire armed guards while mayors can enjoy personal police protection. Citizens call 911 then wait for help after the fact.

George Fortner
Price Hill

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No, Mr. Trustee, it's CRIMINALS that don't belong in our parks