Letter: Guns save lives
Date: Jun 6, 2005 7:52 AM
PUBLICATION: Calgary Herald
DATE: 2005.06.05
EDITION: Early
SECTION: Q: Queries – Quibbles – Quirks
PAGE: A15
COLUMN: Inbox: Your Space – Your Time
BYLINE: Joe Gingrich
SOURCE: Calgary Herald

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Guns save lives

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FIREARMS – Re: “How to avoid a bear encounter,” May 31, and “How
to
survive a bear encounter,” May 31.

I both appreciate and applaud your inclusion of these measures of
practical concrete ideas within your article. However, I was bewildered
and astounded that you failed to include the cheapest, most effective
means of self-defence known to man. That means is the common firearm.

Firearms definitely have a place in our society for methods of
self-defence. A firearm saved Julia Gerlach in this instance and
likewise, historically, untold millions. Researchers Gary Mauser and
Taylor Buckner discovered that Canadians use firearms 64,000 times a
year for self-protection against criminals and animals. They estimated
that 3,300 lives are saved each year with firearms and countless others
from predators, both animal and human.

Although under-reported, these facts must not be taken lightly. I
suggest you immediately add firearms to your armamentarium on “How to
Avoid a Bear Encounter” and “How to survive a Bear Encounter.” When
you
need a firearm, nothing else will do.

Joe Gingrich, Nipawin, Sask.