Dear Editor:

Jaryl Larson’s latest missive (Letters, 4/9/15) had some pretty far fetched ideas. I’m not positive but I doubt that any concealed carry law would have stopped a monster like Charlie Manson. Why would someone like that balk at not following a gun law?

The Second Amendment was created to protect the right to bear arms, in that Ms. Larson is correct. That protection was extended to pistols as well as long guns. Pistols were concealable in 1791 just as they are today.

Once again we see emotion driven commentary absent of any factual information when folks talk about firearm legislation. Too many times that leads to misconceptions about firearm laws.

There are many reasons people want or need a concealed weapon, some of which are in response to events like Ms. Larson relates and are for personal protection from a threat or just generally. It may be the transportation of firearms or they carry money and, yes, sometimes just because. The new law simply makes it possible, if you can already pass a federal background check to purchase a firearm, to carry concealed. In many cases this could make a huge difference to an abused woman who has mustered up the courage to leave her abuser. Better to be legally armed with a protection order and a gun than just the former, something that often would not be possible under the current system. Legislators are not obliged to protect us any more than the police are, that is our own responsibility.

Something for Ms. Larson to ponder; would she prefer that the tens of thousands of concealed carriers in Maine carry openly? Many would oblige but given the unwarranted fear and paranoia that exists about gun owners, I don’t think it will make anything better. Maine is an open carry state Ms. Larson, anyone legally able to own a firearm can holster up for the entire world to see.

Linc Sample

Boothbay Harbor