Letters, 5/1: Allow concealed guns

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I am writing in regard to the article front and center in the April 21 Lincoln Journal Star about the new concealed carry bill. I think it is totally inappropriate for Lincoln to restrict its citizens from defending themselves should the need arise. If enacted, it would be just one more feel-good gun law backed by emotion rather than facts.

There are currently 35 states with “shall issue” permits. Not in one of those states have we seen so-called Wild West-like shootouts in the news. This simply does not happen.

I am amazed that so many police officers in Lincoln support the city ban. Only a fool would want fewer good guys on the streets with guns! Bad guys break the law, plain and simple. Restricting carry in Lincoln will not stop them. You would think the police would know that.

My hope is that Lincoln wakes up and follows the rest of the state in allowing law-abiding citizens to carry concealed weapons.

David R. Smith, Lincoln

Gun law protects

I am getting tired of hearing more and more hysteria surrounding the new concealed carry gun law. People are afraid this will lead to indiscriminate shooting by anyone, anywhere, at any time. And this newspaper is doing all it can to perpetuate this ridiculous idea.

Let’s look at some facts. Texas has celebrated 10 years of freedom to carry a concealed weapon. Since then, handgun murders have dropped 18 percent. In 2000, the national Center for Policy Analysis issued a report that indicated Texans with concealed carry permits are far less likely to commit a serous crime than the average citizen. In fact, they are 5.7 times less likely to be arrested for a violent offense, are 14 times less likely to be arrested for a nonviolent offense, and are 1.4 times less likely to be arrested for murder.

And now let’s look at the other side of the coin.

In Great Britain, handguns were banned in 1997. Since then, serious violent crime is up 88 percent, armed robberies are up 101 percent, rapes are up 105 percent, according to the NRA publication “America’s 1st Freedom,” April 2006. Firearms murder was up 65 percent in the first five years following the ban. Handgun crime is now at its highest since 1993.

Australia enacted a strict gun ban in 1996. In the first year following the ban, attempted murder was up 20.1 percent; kidnapping/abduction was up 17.8 percent; armed robbery was up 19.8 percent and continued rising to 59 percent over the next 8 years.

And in our own Washington, D.C., which boasts the strictest gun control laws in our nation, the murder rate tripled and the homicide rate rose 200 percent in the 15 years following its handgun ban in 1976. The national homicide rate during the same period rose 12 percent.

We, as citizens, have the right to protect ourselves, to not be a victim and to not fear for our safety. I, for one, am celebrating this great new law!

Beth Philson, Elmwood

Rude police

Last Friday night, my band, The Goddamn Rights, played the StarCity Scenefest at Duffy’s, which was great.

When we got to the club, however, we pulled around back to unload our gear in the alley, so as not to block the main road out front. No sooner had we stopped the van (and pulled behind another van that was already parked in the alley), this bicycle cop starts yelling at us, “Whose van is this (the one in front of us)?” “Get it outta here — and get yers outta here.”

And I’m like, “Sir, can’t we just unload and then move the van?” “We don’t know whose van this other one is — we just got here — you just saw us pull up.” He says, “Noooo! You have to pull around front and unload. Get it outta here now!” To which I reply, “Sir, if you want me to have respect for you, you have to have respect for me — don’t be a jerk.” “Shut the (expletive) up!” he says.

Can you believe that? An officer of the law, sworn to protect and serve, told me to Shut the (Expletive) Up. I thought they waited until they were giving you a Rodney King-style beatdown to say that kind of stuff.

So, of course I said what would have come naturally to most anyone. “(Expletive) you!” Then, we all got in the van, parked as obnoxiously as we could in the middle of O Street, and unloaded our gear as slowly as possible — hey, that’s what the Boys In Blue said to do!

Turns out the other van belonged to another band also performing at Duffy’s that night, and had been blocking the alley for about 20 minutes. But that does not give Johnny Law the right to be rude, belligerent and obnoxious just because he has a badge, and probably doesn’t like “those dirty rock and rollers.”

I just want it to be known that I’m a law-abiding, tax-paying citizen. And this is the type of behavior my taxes are paying for?

Brad “Tex” Allison, Lincoln

Election not a game

Let’s be smart and not sympathetic. Gov. Dave Heineman has a proven track record for advancing Nebraska forward. Dr. Tom Osborne has football records and some rings. It is not a game!

Thomas G. Maul, Lincoln

Vote for Bob Swanson

I have known Bob Swanson for more than 10 years. He has the enthusiasm, intelligence and energy to be a superb Nebraska senator. He is exactly the right person at the right time for this job and is the type of leader Nebraskans were looking for when they voted in term limits.

Bob will provide a much needed fresh perspective to his district — working intelligently to strengthen the education for our children, easing the tax burden on families and small business and passing legislation which provides incentives for talented young people to remain in Nebraska.

Bob provides voters a clear choice over the liberal candidates running for the district. His pro-family, strong “Reaganite” economic views and staunch support of teachers and strengthening our educational system are what District 28 desperately needs.

Dominic Pynes, Lincoln

Vote for Mark Munger

Mark Munger stands head and shoulders above the field of District 28 legislative candidates. An outstanding Lincoln firefighter for 30 years, Mark Munger built a successful small business, G&M Window Service, during those same years, investing his own money and creating jobs.

He wants to serve in the Legislature to promote small business as the economic lifeblood of strong communities and good neighborhoods. Likewise, he is a longtime supporter of I-300, which protects the family farmers and ranchers whose trade drives small business in small towns across the state.

Mark Munger is a smart, fearless, big-hearted man who will stand tall in the Legislature for working families, good schools and healthy main streets.

Sally Herrin, Lincoln

Ricketts is cowardly

I see Pete Ricketts talking on his TV ads about the need to cut government spending, but he never explains what spending he wants to cut. I checked his Web site, and he doesn’t explain it there either.

Anyone can see what is going on here. Ricketts knows that spending cuts will get some people angry, and he is too cowardly to face that. If he’s elected, I’m sure he will stay just as cowardly as he is now.

Douglas Sczygelski, Lincoln

Eliminate graffiti

I am a concerned citizen living in the Clinton neighborhood just south of Holdrege Street. I have noticed a precipitous rise in bad graffiti on business buildings and homes on my street.

This graffiti not only looks terrible, it also makes the neighborhood look trashy. I challenge those who are doing it to come up with less annoying ways to express yourselves.

I also challenge the Lincoln police to step up the enforcement of the area that is directly adjacent to the precinct station at 27th and Holdrege. This graffiti is right under your noses … and has been for the three years I have lived here.

Fellow citizens — let’s all work together to eliminate graffiti by taking note of your neighborhood as you walk, drive and bike through it. Are there ways you can prevent theses marauders from striking the buildings around you? They are endangering the investments we make in our homes and neighborhoods!

Peter Scherr, Lincoln