As an American citizen, I honor our freedoms guaranteed in the Constitution, including the Second Amendment, giving us the right to bear arms.
My only sister is a gun store owner, and thus the financial well being of my family is dependent on this right as well. Public safety is also a concern for our families, thus I must write to protest the efforts of councilman John Koster to lift the gun ban in Snohomish County parks.
The safety of children and common sense must prevail here. We do not allow guns in schools or courthouses because of these concerns, and they should pertain to recreational facilities as well. It is unbelievable that a person would feel the need to have lethal protection in a public park, endangering the safety of law-abiding citizens.
In recent years, I have seen loaded weapons at Little League games, soccer games, and other youth activities in violation of this restriction, and I am appalled. I have to believe these people are either paranoid or cowards. If you truly believe you are not safe at such activities, I suggest you stay at home behind locked doors. If you need to carry your concealed weapon where it is legal, I celebrate your right to do so. Let’s not, however, turn our back on common sense and create a public danger, a danger that involves the safety of those most innocent and vulnerable — children.
Paul Rauch
Arlington
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