Concealed guns afford self defense
Guest column by Melissa Allison

I am shocked and ashamed of the editorial titled ”Time for some sanity,” (Sept. 7) regarding t he pending removal of the Campbell County ordinance prohibiting the carrying of firearms in parks. I have never read anything so reactionary and so completely based on unfounded fear instead of facts.

Since passage of the concealed carry law in Kentucky, there have been no incidences of violence by concealed carry permit holders, and yet your language, ”they all claim to be law abiding citizens” contends that we who ”pack heat” may not be trustworthy at all. I guarantee you tha t if we were seen as a threat by law enforcement, Kentucky’s concealed carry law would have been overturned long ago. Not only has there not been any incidence of violence, there has been at least one reported incident of a concealed carry permit holder defending himself successfully in Northern Kentucky. It already has saved at least one life in Kentucky. Is that not enough to justify the existence of this law?

I have only recently gotten into what you, no doubt, would call the gun culture. In fact, had yo u talked to me two years ago I probably would have more likely joined the Million Mom March than join a gun rights organization.

However, I have rationally gone over the facts and realized that gun carriers are no more violent than any other normal citizen of the United States. They have simply chosen to protect themselves instead of being a victim. Why should we not have the right to defend ourselves again st those who threaten us and our families?

Many times I have heard non-gun owners say that they would stop at nothing to protect their families. What is wrong with making that possible with the most effective and reliable means available?

The argument that we do not need guns to go to a picnic or run in the park is a fallacy and base d on the assumption that everyone in the park is there for a picnic. Anyone who has ever watched t he news knows that we live in a violent society. Women, more than ever, are realizing that they are prime targets for rapists and murderers. How many times have we seen reports of women being attacked and raped in parks? How many must be raped before we realize that not everyone wishes y ou good will?

Could a woman being attacked use some defensive method other than a gun? Perhaps, but those options are either not effective (i.e., using a cell phone to call 911) or not as decisive (i.e., mace or a knife). I am not arguing that we should arm ourselves to kill those would-be predators . I am simply stating that we should have at our disposal a means of stopping those predators when they act.

I have one more issue with your article that has to do with ignorance of the law. Your quote from County Attorney Justin Verst is most likely correct but he is incorrect. You quoted him as saying, ”The county is not allowed to prohibit people from carrying firearms in parks as long a s they have the proper permit.” The truth is that, according to the Kentucky Constitution, the Kentucky Court of Appeals (Holland vs Commonwealth) and the Kentucky Attorney General (OAG 96-39 ), ”If the gun is worn outside the jacket or shirt in full view, no one may question the wearer’ s right so to do.” The county is, therefore, not allowed to prohibit people from carrying firearm s in parks or any other location.

Your suspicion that someone will attempt to get Kenton County to repeal ordinances that are illegal is one I hope does occur. In fact, in this case, I can guarantee it will. I also hope th at the counties around Kentucky will repeal any ordinances that violate any state law. We have state laws for a reason, one of which is so local ignorance, unreasonable fear and unfounded allegatio ns are not tolerated.

Melissa Allison of Burlington serves on the board of directors of the Kentucky Coalition to Carry Concealed or KC3.

Publication date: 09-14-01