Another DMN letter exchange.

[jimlongley]

On Friday, May 8, the DMN, published this letter:


Students and guns: poor mixers

With regard to proposed legislation allowing college students to carry concealed handguns on campus: Have the sponsors of this legislation been drinking?
In a nationwide survey by the Harvard School of Public Health, nearly 43 percent of college students admit binge drinking (five or more drinks in a row) at least twice a month. Twenty percent admitted binge drinking three or more times in the preceding two week period.
And our legislators want to let these people carry loaded firearms on campus?
Susan Sanders Wansbrough, Dallas

My reply, as published today May 12:

On guns on college campuses: CHL holders are responsible ...

Re: "Students and guns: poor mixers," by Susan Sanders Wansbrough, Friday Letters.
Wansbrough cites a Harvard School of Public Health study that indicates a high percentage of students are irresponsible, and then asks, "And our legislators want to let these people carry loaded firearms on campus?"
No, what we, the electorate, have asked legislators to do is to change the rules so that responsible people who have obtained their concealed handgun licenses can avail themselves of their basic right to self-defense.
CHL holders have been thoroughly investigated, and the dire predictions by many of blood in the streets after drunken road-rage gunfights after fender-benders, have not come true. There is no reason to expect responsible CHL holders, adults over 21, to act any differently in college, where irresponsible teenagers do participate in irresponsible behavior.
Jim Longley, Allen


And someone else wrote in:

... and drinks used to be different
Letter writer Susan Wansbrough says that students shouldn't be allowed to carry guns because of "binge drinking," which has apparently now been defined as five drinks. We should be thankful for small favors.
When I went to SMU in 1970, five drinks was called "studying."
Stephen Boone, Garland


And my original letter said:

Susan Sanders Wansbrough cites a Harvard School of Public Health study that indicates a high percentage of students are irresponsible, and then asks "And our legislators want to let these people carry loaded firearms on campus?"

No, what we, the electorate, have asked our legislators to do is change the rules so that RESPONSIBLE people, who have obtained their CHLs, can avail themselves of their basic right to self defense. Gun free zones are not gun free they are merely target rich environments for nut cases to go out in a blaze of glory.

CHL holders have been thoroughly investigated, and the dire predictions by many, including this paper, of blood in the streets after drunken road rage gunfights after fender benders, have not come true, and there is no reason to expect responsible CHL holders, adults over 21, to act any differently in college, where irresponsible teenagers do partcipate in irresponsible behavior.

When seconds count, the police are just minutes away.

Note several important points the paper left out.

[AEA]

Good work Jim......

But I am afraid it is a useless exercise. But, if you enjoy doing it, more power to you.

[WEC]

I suppose they have the right to edit and crop without your approval? And without leaving an ellipsis?

[jimlongley]

I suppose they have the right to edit and crop without your approval? And without leaving an ellipsis?

Yes, they reserve the right to edit for content, space, etc.

[surprise_i'm_armed]

Jim Longley:
I read your letter in today's DMN. I have been very tempted to write letters
rebutting the public's perception of CHL's and the college carry issue, but
I am leery of having my name published since my employer does not allow
carrying on the job (although I do).

I appreciate your efforts to try and educate folks.

Keep up the good work.

As far as gun control goes:
Some people drive drunk and hit trees, but everyone else's vehicles are not
seized by the government!!

[TruckingDeals]

Thanks for doing what we all want to do yet don't because of the frustration.

Too bad the average liberal who shapes their opinions by reading the DMN goes straight to the comics section instead of the editorials.

[jimlongley]

Thanks for doing what we all want to do yet don't because of the frustration.

Too bad the average liberal who shapes their opinions by reading the DMN goes straight to the comics section instead of the editorials.

I always start with the comics myself, it puts me in a better mood for reading the rest of the paper and getting set to write my usual flurry of letters.

[Rockrz]

Have the sponsors of this legislation been drinking?

Hey, it's Austin...so they've been smokin some good grass man!