Don't get NIMBYs worry on gun shops

I am so tired of the NIMBY attitude (Not In My Back Yard) of local municipalities when it comes to gun shops or gun ranges. The latest is the Lombard village board, which turned down an application for Gun World to relocate there.

Gun World operated in Bensenville and was forced to move just like many other residents of the neighborhood, because of the O'Hare expansion. It operated there for many years and without any of the perceived problems these boards seem so concerned about. I can only assume these boards have negative, preconceived ideas of the kind of people who frequent gun ranges.

Since I am one of them, I'm insulted. I don't believe any of the board members who voted against this have ever even been in a gun shop. I suggest they go on a field trip to Plainfield and visit Mega Sports, for example, to see how a clean, modern facility like this is run.

I for one would like to have such a facility close by. Young people should learn how to handle firearms safely; the shooting shorts are fun, requiring a range of disciplines (it's an Olympic category) which need to be practiced; abused women should have an option to learn how to use firearms to protect themselves. Instructors need a place to teach them all.

Though most of a gun shop's clientele may not be as vocal as local politicians would seem to require, we are part of your constituency and do vote. I am getting a very clear idea of who I wouldn't vote for again.

Diane Cozzi

Addison