To the editor:

I have been reading, with great interest, the letters to the editor and posts on the Journal-World Web site, concerning the recent passage of right-to-carry. The anti-gun crowd seems to think there will be carnage in the streets. If they actually took the time to do some research, they would find the facts about concealed carry experience in the other 40-some states which allow it. But of course, if they did that, they would be bereft of arguments. The facts and crime statistics speak volumes – literally.

I would ask people to think about something: What if just one citizen had been armed on each of those planes on 9-11? How might the outcome have been different? Do you think that criminals and terrorists might have second thoughts about committing acts when they have no idea who might be armed, and willing, to defend themselves and others?

Finally, the police, no matter how well intentioned, do not prevent crime. They investigate it after the fact. You are responsible for your own safety, every minute of every day. If you don’t understand that, you WILL be a victim.

Rick Laughlin,

Lawrence