Editor,

I’ve read enough letters from pro-gun owners that I really need to offer my perspective.

Gary Karg threw out some “facts” about gun ownership in Australia and school shootings in Israel that looked easy to check. Fact is they are NRA talking points that mislead. “Australia disarmed its citizens and the next year crimes involving firearms skyrocketed.” Not exactly, the NRA chose one part, of one city, in one state and just two years of data. Robberies involving firearms have declined.

“Israel had a school shooting incident; they train their teachers to shoot and carry weapons. No new school shootings since.” Israeli citizens are not allowed to carry guns unless they are serving in the army or working in security-related jobs that require them to use a weapon. The school shooting was a terrorist attack.  Israel’s anti-terror policies and anti–terror operations are credited with reducing terror attacks to nearly zero. Israel has mandatory military service for all.  So technically teachers are trained to shoot and carry weapons like every other citizen.

Yes, it’s currently not against the law to carry guns in parks and council chambers.

Those that do carry see it from their perspective, I’m a good citizen and the gun is safe in my hands. I see it from another perspective, I don’t know you, you’re intimidating people with your ability to kill with one finger and you can easily kill me. People who openly carry weapons because they can are as distasteful as public zit-poppers and nose pickers.

No law against it, go right ahead. I suppose I should take comfort in the fact that you’re 4.5 times more likely to get shot than I am.

There’s also the notion that with proper training carrying a weapon will prevent shootings. President Reagan was surrounded by armed Secret Service agents and police, but was hit by a bullet anyway. The shooter fired six rounds in less than two seconds. The shooter was subdued without return fire.

Walt Mistler
Oak Harbor