West Newsmagazine 3-14-18

4 I OPINION I
March 14, 2018
WEST NEWSMAGAZINE
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Solutions to school shootings
To the Editor:
If I have a stack of dirty dishes and
want them to get clean, I do not stand
there wringing my hands and proclaiming
“something must be done” or “this is
not acceptable” or “I need a common sense
solution.” Demonstrating my firm grasp of
the obvious does not get the dishes clean.
So I wash the dishes, because that’s what
works. Common sense.
After the Twin Towers were brought
down by hijackers, regulations were
changed allowing armed pilots and random
air marshals aboard flights. Blood did not
flow in the aisles of aircraft, and we have
not had a single hijacking since.
In 1974, Israel suffered a mass school
shooting by terrorists. The government
immediately put armed guards in schools
and allowed teachers to arm themselves.
In the 43 years since then, there have been
two attempted attacks on schools. In both
cases, the gunmen were stopped/killed by
armed teachers.
Do what works. It’s common sense.
Paul Lovegren
• • •
To the Editor:
I was watching this “listening” session
with the high school survivors at the White
House who were offering solutions to
school mass shootings, some obvious truths
were missed.
1. Our population will increase. As the
population increases, people with mental
health issues will increase. More guns will
be sold. Only one of those things we can
absolutely control. 2. These so-called “gunfree
zones” – schools, movies, malls, concerts
– are the norm in this country. They are
suppose to be gun-free. 3 Arming teachers
and putting them in a “combat” situation
[and it is combat] takes a certain kind of
person. 4. What is the end game when more
and more people are armed? How many
people have to be armed before we are all
safe? 5. It’s people with guns that are the
problem, not the people without guns.
This country’s gun culture, this country’s
love affair with guns are the problems. Why
make it easier for someone to kill a lot of
In this Issue
11
On the Ballot
Propositions on the April 3
ballot are presented in exact
ballot language.
innocent people in the shortest amount of
time using a combat type weapon that can
hold a high capacity magazines? What
are the gains and what are the loses so far
for owning this type of weapon? Anyone?
Those were the truths that were missed.
Mike Alalof
More CCR discussion
To the Editor:
Wow. I have only just picked up the
West Newsmagazine from my mailbox and
already I feel the urge to comment.
Regarding the letter from Dale Schmid
[West Newsmagazine, Feb. 21], which was
in response to the letter from Mary Gross
opposing Representative Wagner’s support
of House Bill #38:
1. Very few people are “anti-gun” and very
few people think that guns are always bad.
This is a myth perpetrated by people and
organizations that benefit from such myths.
2. Many people – upwards of 80 percent
in most polls – believe that there should be
common sense measures in place that protect
the general populace from the consequences
of accidental or deliberate gun injuries and
death. These people are not “anti-gun,” in
fact, many of them are gun owners. 3. It’s
true that driver’s licenses are recognized
from one state to another. In order to get a
license, one must prove one’s identity, pass
both a written as well as a practical [driving]
test, carry liability insurance, and renew on a
periodic basis, usually with some additional
testing. Perhaps if similar tests and liability
insurance requirements [requisite for permits]
were required for gun ownership consistently
in all 50 states, there would be less
“anti-gun” people opposing concealed carry
reciprocity.
Kathleen Lastarria
• • •
To the Editor:
Mary Gross’ letter regarding concealed
cary reciprocity prompts me to correct some
inaccuracies in her letter. The Concealed
Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017 [HR 38] will
do away with the confusing patchwork of
state laws that risks making criminals out of
otherwise law-abiding gun owners, by allowing
those qualified to carry concealed firearms
in one state to carry in other states that
allow residents to do so. Despite anti-gunners’
doomsday prognostications, existing
reciprocity agreements have created a trove
of data showing such a policy would pose no
danger to the public. Attorneys general from
24 states signed a letter affirming their support
of HR 38 before the bill went before the
full U.S. House of Representatives.
This letter explains that the bill is necessary
to eliminate a long-standing problem
for law-abiding gun owners.
HR 38 will not change any state’s laws
regarding concealed carry. It merely allows
legally permitted residents from other states
to protect themselves in another state. The
permitting laws of the host state still remain
in effect. The traveler is obligated to abide
by the laws of the state in which they are
presently located, not their home state. It is
the same reciprocity permitted for drivers.
Each state recognizes the driver’s license
from any other state. HR 38 simply recognizes
the concealed carry permits issued by
another state.
America’s highest ranking law enforcement
officers understand that law-abiding
citizens should be able to exercise their
fundamental right to self-defense while
traveling across state lines without fear of
breaking the law. Remember, these licensed
people have undergone a criminal background
check and have shown proficiency
with their firearm to their home state before
a permit is issued.
I believe Rep. Ann Wagner has listened
to her constituents as well as the attorneys
general, the highest ranking law enforcement
officer of each state, in recognizing
that licensed individuals should be able to
protect themselves outside their home state,
as they do within the borders of their home
state. Remember, the NRA is the world’s
largest training organization for firearms
safety and proficiency. Hundreds of thousands
of law enforcement officers are
trained annually by NRA-certified instructors.
Rep. Wagner has voted to keep us safe
and should be applauded for keeping her
oath upholding the U.S. Constitution!
Kevin Cummins
Submit your letter to: editor@newsmagazinenetwork.com • 636.591.0010
11
Amazon Comes to Mo
Amazon’s first local fulfillment
center is expected to benefit the
entire region.
24
Rodeo Rider
Wildwood teen Melanie
Green is making a name
for herself in rodeo.
30
The Race to be Mayor
Meet the candidates in the
Manchester and Ellisville
mayoral races.
Founder
Publisher
General Manager
Managing Editor
Associate Editor
Features Editor
Proof Reader
Business Manager
Graphic Designer
Graphic Designer
Graphic Layout
Tech Advisor/ Website
Admin. Assistant
@WESTNEWSMAG
WESTNEWSMAGAZINE.COM
Advertising Manager
Vicky Czapla
Writers
Doug Huber
Sharon Huber
Tim Weber
Kate Uptergrove
Ellen Lampe
Lisa Russell
Emily Redington
Erica Myers
Jessica Mattingly
Ryan Moore
Emily Rothermich
Brian Miller
Melissa Balcer
Advertising Account Executives
Nancy Anderson
Denise Candice
Ellen Hartbeck
Classified Advertising Sales
Chris Oth
Suzanne Corbett
Jim Erickson
Brian Flinchpaugh
754 Spirit 40 Park Dr.
Chesterfield, MO 63005
(636) 591-0010 ■ (636) 778-9785 Fax
westnewsmagazine.com
Please send
Comments, Letters and Press Releases to:
editor@newsmagazinenetwork.com
West Newsmagazine is published 35 times per year by
West Media Inc. It is direct-mailed to more than 68,000
households in West St. Louis County. Products and
services advertised are not necessarily endorsed by West
Newsmagazine and views expressed in editorial copy are
not necessarily those of West Newsmagazine. No part of
West Newsmagazine may be reproduced in any form without
prior written consent from West Newsmagazine. All letters
addressed to West Newsmagazine or its editor are assumed
to be intended for publication and are subject to editing
for content and length. West Newsmagazine reserves the
right to refuse any advertisement or editorial submission.
© Copyright 2018.
A PUBLICATION OF
Linda Joyce
Joe Ritter
Sheila Roberts
Bonnie Krueger
Warren Mayes
Jessica Meszaros