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In reply to both, I would have said it exactly those ways, but the 200 word constraint got in the way. I was hoping the implication of my "Food for thought" statement would get the point across.

Letters 05/27/15 featured this screed against campus carry, under the title "Keep Guns Off Campus":

I recently received a letter from my state representative, Ron Simmons. He wrote to thank me for my support of the House version of proposed campus carry legislation and future consideration of SB 11. Boy was he wrong!

I contacted his office to express my opposition to this legislation, explaining that as a teacher in a public college, the last thing I needed in my classroom was a student who is unhappy with their grade on an exam who carries a concealed handgun. This could possibly be a recipe for disaster.

Simmons told me of his belief that government should protect our lives and property, but he seemed to forget about me and other college teachers who return assignments with grades that are unpleasant to students. While most students accept bad news with initial embarrassment, sadness or a request for future extra-credit opportunities, it takes only one frustrated student to pull out a gun.

My having a gun would not help. I also find it interesting that campus carry would not be allowed at college sporting events. Why is this exemption more obvious than what I could potentially face in my classroom?

Rhonda Miller, Carrollton

And my answer published on 05/28/15 under the title, "Concealed Carry: The key is 'licensed'":

I would like to know if Rhonda Miller has taken into consideration that concealed handgun license holders are, as a group, much more law abiding than the general population?

Does she really think that someone who has gone through the effort to obtain a CHL, a process that includes training, tests, and multiple background checks, is really going to be so unbalanced as to pull a gun because she gave them a bad mark?

And the person will also meet the age criterion for obtaining a CHL. We are not talking about an 18-year-old freshman who rabidly thinks that your mark was unfair. We are talking about someone at least 21 and mature enough to go through the process of obtaining a CHL.

And just food for thought: Are you sure that that student you just gave the bad mark to, the one you have always felt was a little off, is not carrying? Do you think the law would stop him?

This is somewhat akin to the predictions of blood running in the streets from fender benders turned into gun fights, and is just as wrong. CHL holders deserve to be allowed their privilege wherever.

Jim Longley, Allen



The 200 word limitation makes it tough to say everything that needs to be said, but I think I got the point across.