In a letter to Gov. Sonny Perdue, Woodstock Mayor Donnie Henriques (right) opposes House Bill 89, which would allow permitted gun holders to take their weapons in public parks, restaurants and on public transit. Here are excerpts:

In this legislative session our elected delegates addressed many issues with typical spirit and competency and I am again honored to be associated with the men and women who dedicate their lives to public office.

I write however to express the collective concern of City Council regarding HB 89. While a paramount objective of any elected body is safety of the public they serve, we are inclined to believe the proposed amendments will not only fall seriously short of enhancing public safety but more than likely will escalate the frequency of armed confrontation between police and persons traveling armed, entering public property armed, consuming alcoholic beverages while armed or reacting overtly to what they perceive as a threat to another.

Notwithstanding the licensing requirements for those carrying guns, there is a stark reality of the relationship between gun access and violent crime. The United States is the most highly armed country in the world with 90 guns for every 100 citizens according to the 2007 Small Arms Survey. In the rest of the world, the rate is 10 firearms for every 100 citizens. A study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the 1990s found the U.S. firearm homicide rate for children at 16 times that of other developed countries and on average 30,000 Americans killed each year because of firearms. In fact, since 1963 more Americans died by gunfire than perished in combat during the entire 20th century.

Contrary to popular belief, gun violence is not an urban, gang or a criminal problem. More than 16,000 suicides, accidental deaths of children and domestic-violence-related homicides by use of a firearm in the home occur each year, and more than $2.3 billion is spent annually on medical costs attributed directly to gun violence. When coupled with lost productivity of those killed and wounded, the economic impact in communities and the devastation to the fabric of a presumably civil society the need to limit the number of weapons on our streets, not increase them, is apparent.

Undoubtedly, some have presented the bill as an extension of the Second Amendment. We find this to be a gross exaggeration of our Constitution, ignorant of the ramifications when relatively untrained and inexperienced persons are allowed to possess guns in public places for discretionary use. To assert accessibility of a firearm to an average citizen will intimidate or thwart the violent criminal is meritless. Ironically, research summarized in the book "Private Guns, Public Health" demonstrates gun owners to be disproportionately at risk for gun injuries and suicide. A 2003 Brookings Institution study by economists at Duke and Georgetown universities effectively disputes the argument that gun ownership deters crime.

Governor, we live in a civilized society and if we as elected representatives believe the safety of our constituency to be so threatened by those with criminal intent then we should commit the resources necessary to strengthen our law enforcement components, not relax restrictions of legitimate legislation.

We strongly believe as the senior leader of our great state you have little alternative but to delay passage of House Bill 89 in order to allow for more constructive discourse and determination to truly provide a safe and secure environment for all Georgians.

 DEAN ROHRER / NewsArt