Parading gun hurts other owners
Jim Cooley, who recently carried his rifle at the airport, is on the far right. Former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and his anti-gun programs are on the far left. Neither represents the great majority of folks. Yes, fewer people are exposed to guns now that we don’t have a compulsory military draft, and we are getting much more citified. You don’t see folks walking around much with guns anymore. To my generation, a gun was just another tool. Unfortunately some folks use this tool for bad things now, and yes, some weapons are overly dangerous. Mr. Cooley frightened a lot of people and that hurts the rest of us gun owners. I have a permit and carry 24/7, but you will not see it unless you are a bad person doing a bad thing to me, my family or possibly some other innocent person. In fact, if a weapon is visible, it lessens its effectiveness and may even encourage a problem.
WARREN ABRAMS, MILNER
Open government offices to guns
The best way to solve the reasonableness of “open carry” laws is to open all government facilities to allow open carry. Once the politicians aren’t hiding in their fortresses behind their metal detectors and their armed guards and are at risk just like the rest of us, maybe they’ll pass some sensible gun laws. Until then, they’re welcome to “open carry” themselves, if that makes them feel safer.
MARK TUNE, BLUE RIDGE
Fines unfair to low-income folks
I read with dismay that the City of Atlanta would be increasing their fines for traffic tickets (“Speeding ticket? It may cost more soon,” News, June 6). This is a misguided plan to balance the city budget on the backs of those who can least afford it. Consider the new $265 fine for a broken tail-light. This new fine equals 35 hours of work (almost one week) at the Georgia state minimum wage. This then leads to the already publicized disastrous predatory cycle of the private probation companies feeding off those who cannot pay their high fines. I hope Atlanta will reconsider this decision
PATRICK LYNCH, ROSWELL
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