Give citizens option of self-defense

Once again, on the heels of the Lane Bryant killings, is another mass shooting at NIU.

What are we to do?

As I listened to a morning talk show a few moments ago, a shrill young man, practically in tears, called in and told us about how sick he was about the proliferation of guns in America.

Where is Senator Obama, he asks? Why isn't the senator working to remove guns from the public instead of out campaigning?

Well, here's the deal, young fellow, this shooter had a shotgun.

Good luck removing shotguns from the public. Hunters use shotguns. They are legal in the State of Illinois and, I believe, the City of Chicago.

I wonder if this madman had a license for this weapon? I'll bet not. I know he didn't for the handgun with which he killed himself. Maybe we'll find out.

Here's the solution to this dreadful problem:

Give people a means to protect themselves. Pass a firearms safety class, pass a stringent background check by the State of Illinois and obtain a firearm owners Identification card. Then pray that the great State of Illinois passes a concealed carry law that 48 of the 50 states already have in force.

This will allow a law abiding citizen to have the option, the option, to carry a concealed hand gun. That doesn't mean "arm the populace."

This lunatic at NIU was said to have calmly reloaded his shotgun, as it was said about the Virginia Tech maniac.

At that point, is it time to think about calling 911 or to try and stop the carnage? I bet I know what the parents and friends of those wounded and killed would think.

Let's not wait for the next copycat nut to make a name for himself.

It's bound to happen again. Another campus, another mall.

Let's give citizens a way to protect themselves or station an armed police officer in every classroom and public place.

Timothy D. O'Reilly

Chicago