GUNS: Bad guys shoot first

In the Press article of March 23 concerning guns on campus, Andrew Arulanandam, an NRA representative, is quoted as saying, "the only thing that stops a bad person with a gun is a good person with a gun." Not so fast, Andrew. There is a caveat that accompanies that statement. It is this: bad guys shoot first. Consider all of those murdered by bad guys. Few of them knew they were going to be shot in time to draw their weapon and shoot first.

How many armed officers are ambushed each year? How many good guys want to carry a loaded weapon on their person each day in anticipation of being able to fire first when they encounter a bad guy who may intend to shoot them?

The NRA official also states there is no reason to be concerned about youth under 21 years having weapons because "a person must be 21 to purchase a gun." With 71,000 permits issued in Idaho, isn't conceivable that someone under the age of 21 might steal a gun, or find one lying around the house? It has happened.

I believe in the permission given by the Second Amendment to bear firearms. But shouldn't we exercise some sound judgment about whether or not to abandon all controls on the use of firearms?

KENNETH GREEN

Coeur d'Alene