I've tried, really I have. However, I can't picture anyone with a lick of sense thinking allowing anyone over 21 to freely own a gun. And someone claiming to have over 20 years in law enforcement has even less of a lick of sense and should have that space between their ears checked for logic, common sense and basic reasoning.





They'll just sit back smirking and enjoying their handiwork while the rest of the population devour one another. The politicians who sign on with these laws aren't the ones who expect to be most negatively impacted by them.They'll just sit back smirking and enjoying their handiwork while the rest of the population devour one another.





Unfortunately, many people will read into these laws what they want to see. Believing these laws are for their use and not 'that' other guy. The same as the SYG bill signed into law first in Florida then many states adopted same or similar laws, including the state of Tennessee I believe. Not many expected to find themselves on the receiving end and outcome of such ill thought out laws. While others mistakenly thought they couldn't be prosecuted no matter how in the wrong they were when they shot someone.





Now we might expect to have more mysterious drivebys that will easily be blamed on gangs-and no one will be the wiser as to "who was that masked vehicle driving by spraying bullets?" More toddlers looking for candy pulling a parent or Nanna's gun from a purse shooting either themselves, the parent or Nanna. Dad roughhouse playing with his four year old with his gun down the backside of his pants falling out, mortally wounding the toddler who was shot in the head. The child would survive but later die. Toddler reaching into mama's purse at a super-store, pulling the gun out, shooting mama dead. A neighbor getting into a cat fight over some minor issue, one whipping out a gun, shooting, wounding or even killing the other neighbor. And don't forget those road ragers, or getting into an argument over a parking space when both whip out a gun shooting and killing one another. This is not a movie. There are no reruns. No one gets to walk away and star in another movie. This is reality. Real life people.





It's not as much about those individuals who, even without proper training, can responsibly handle a gun. It's about those who cannot but believes this law protect and allow them to just go out and purchase a gun without any checking.





It's about the reality that over time people often have the tendency to become so complacent and lax they tend to treat their guns like their car keys. Forgetting and leaving them around most anywhere. On a chair, coffee table, couch. The backseat of their vehicle where children sit, or under the seats of their vehicle. There's already been a few similar/same even tragedies closer to home.

The human mind isn't designed to be on 24/7 constant alert, and always in precaution mode. It's in those down moments, seconds even, that tragedies will strike, forever altering for the worst families and entire communities.





The Wild Wild West really wasn't at all wild. In fact, it was very tamed, sensible and there were strict laws. So that comparison can't continue to be made. These laws today creeping upon us are very deceptive and diabolical even. The realization, impact and generational consequences they will leave just haven't yet caught up with most if they ever will.





Brenda Washington

* * *

In her letter to the editor (“Permit-less Guns”), Brenda Washington was DEAD right.



Franklin McCallie

* * *

Both Brenda Washington and Franklin McCallie are right in their opinions that the absurd legislation allowing the carrying of a weapon with no permit is dangerous and irresponsible.





I grow very tired of selfish people and vote-seeking politicians who determine that their rights are more important than anyone else's rights. I support the protection of constitutional rights for all citizens; however, I do not believe for one minute that the authors of the Constitution intended the second amendment to allow anyone to carry a weapon with no oversight whatsoever. Perhaps the governor's association with the National Rifle Association has muddied his thinking about the right to "keep and bear arms."





The Wild West...….listen to the local news about the number of shootings in Chattanooga each week and you will realize that the Wild West is already returning. The legislation allowing a "no permit carry" will only hasten that undesirable return.





Tim McDonald

* * *

I agree with Brenda, Franklin and Tim.

Well, never in my wildest imagination did I ever think I would type the words above. Has the Republican Legislature completely lost its mind?

Anyone over 21 can carry a gun without a permit? Geez I thought it was pretty stupid to let people take an online course to obtain a permit.

Douglas Jones

Ooltewah