Looser gun law would do more harm

Dan Cox’s May 24 letter pleaded for Illinois to become a conceal and carry state on the premise that it would make our society safer, or so the argument goes. But this argument is a faulty one. Thankfully, most of us never experience being a victim of violent crime. Those who are victimized on the street most likely lack the training, if not moxie, to draw a handgun quick enough to ward off an attacker. And let’s not forget the possibility that we might be arming an unarmed assailant by bringing a gun into the mix.

Also, I’m sure there are plenty of responsible gun owners, but I would bet that the overwhelming majority of gun owners lack the training to safely carry and handle a gun. Let’s just say I’d rather not be at McDonald’s with my kids feasting on their Happy Meals knowing that the other moms and dads are “packing.”

Handgun owners are probably more likely to injure themselves or others by negligent carrying or handling than they are to ever need that gun to defend themselves. And in jurisdictions like Florida, which foolishly brandish “stand your ground” laws, conceal and carry laws have been ironically twisted from the shield they were intended to be into the unpredictable sword they have proved to be.

So, Mr. Cox, if you are on an overcrowded el train that is barreling around an unforgiving corner, violently jerking about its passengers, all of whom may be armed with handguns, which may or may not have the safety properly engaged, would you feel lucky? Well, would you?

Mike Fanella

Arlington Heights