In today’s world replete with violence and fear many people find solace in a nanny state wherein they willingly trade freedom for coddling and false hope. One example of this is the transfer of all personal protection responsibility to the state. I advocate legal concealed handgun carry. I believe it to be a prudent course of action for me, and possibly for you, and will explain why, but first picture yourself in the following scenarios.

You are a lady stopping at an interstate highway rest area at 3 a.m. You see one unoccupied car but give it no thought as you have made similar stops without incident. As you enter the restroom, a man puts a knife to your throat and his intent is rape. Who but you has the potential to avert this?

Late on Christmas Eve you and your toddler exit the supermarket. You reach your car and as you begin to put the child in the seat, someone springs from a van, grabs him, throws him in the back of the van, and speeds away. Who but you could possibly prevent this?

You are at a park enjoying a July 4th event. As you stand to join in singing “God Bless America” three people begin shooting. As they turn towards you your options are either to await your fate or attempt to save yourself.

I believe that my personal safety is my responsibility. I support and appreciate the efforts of Law Enforcement on my behalf, but I emphatically am unwilling to relinquish the protection of my most valuable possession, my life, to someone else. Nationwide the average response time to a 911 caller is approximately fifteen minutes.

A concealed carry permit cannot merely be purchased. Every applicant is photographed and fingerprinted. A thorough background check is made by the county Sheriff’s department to ascertain that there is no history that would disqualify the applicant. There follows lengthy classroom instruction, a written examination, and demonstration of firearm safety and proficiency with certification by an approved instructor.

Permit holders are safety conscious people who choose to carry for their personal safety. Just as there surely exists a small number of unsafe, reckless, inept MD’s, there are some concealed carry permittees whose permits should have been denied. No system is perfect. However, the FBI reported that since 1991 Americans bought 170 million new firearms, most of the states have implemented right to carry laws, and violent crime has been cut by more than half. States with the largest increase in permits have seen the largest drops in murder rates. Violent crime has fallen to a 44 year low!

In 2012 more than 22,400 restrictive gun laws existed nationwide. It’s unreasonable to believe additional legislation is the solution. Target thugs and terrorists with severe penalties for firearm use. Enforce maximum sentences without the possibility of reduction and watch the ranks of their replacements dwindle.

Let’s solve society’s violence problems without trampling on the Second Amendment Rights of the 13 million concealed carry permittees across this great land.

I’m an Amelia resident, a former competitive shooter, an NRA life member, and an NRA certified Range Safety Officer. I belong to two gun clubs where you can often find my wife and me enjoying our retirement while target shooting.