Editor,

Usually I agree with Mayor Scott Dudley, but regarding the carrying of firearms into a public council meeting I agree with Beth Munns, Mr. Almberg and Mr. Servatius.

I appreciate the Second Amendment and state law, however, the reality is that if someone is allowed to carry a gun into a public meeting then it sets up the platform of possible violence, death or intimidation. The majority of gun carriers are one thing, it is the crazy person who is the concern.

If one of my children or grandchildren or friends had gone to the preschool in Newtown, Conn., as a visitor that fateful day the shooting occurred they could be dead now. Oh, yes, then there would be a public outcry to do something about that.

If I encourage someone to go see how a public meeting is conducted at city hall and there is a shooting by an individual and they were killed, I would find that horrific and emotionally draining. However, at the risk of overreacting, it would be too late for those killed and the repercussions for their families.

I understand protocol but also understand the point of view that someone in the audience who carries a gun and might use it to defend his point of view is unacceptable in a fair and balanced democracy. If I had been at the meeting, I would have left.

Perhaps the motion was not protocol, appropriate, or whatever; it seems to me appropriate for public safety and the safety of you council members who need objectivity to discuss critical items of business for our city.

As a citizen of Oak Harbor I thank you and all the council members for their time and investment of work in our community. I look forward to following this issue.

Bob Wall
Oak Harbor