GUNS: Have a place in hospitals

Mr. Anderson and Kootenai Health Board Members:

I am writing to you today to advise that each of you has placed the lives of patients in your hospital and care centers in jeopardy. I hope that this was just an oversight, and not careless disregard.

I am sure you are aware that there are people among us who have no regard for human life and have no compunction about entering public places and killing people at random. Sadly, we are aware of this possibility, particularly in our schools, movie theaters and shopping malls. The reason these perpetrators are so bold is that many of the aforementioned public places are “gun free” zones. You have placed prominent “gun free” signs at your family care centers, as well as at the hospital.

Although it has been explained to me that there are people in our community who are suffering with serious problems who also frequent your facilities — people with depression, mental health issues or suicidal urges — who might well be inclined to want to be armed, in order to defend themselves against an imagined threat. The greatest defense against the possibility of mass havoc is the threat of an armed guard or fellow citizen who possesses the means of stopping aggression with physical force.

I think we might agree that people who are likely to be mentally unstable do not comply with posted signs barring potentially dangerous weapons. But, with your “gun free” policy, you forbid rational citizens the ability to defend themselves.

I request that you reconsider your decision to place the people who utilize your health care centers into what might become harm’s way because they desire and need your help. In today’s society, common sense is often cast aside in favor of political correctness. But, if an armed member of the community might be called upon to protect you or save another from death or injury, I believe that all of you would breathe a collective sigh of relief and recognize the wisdom we’ve so often heard: An armed society is a polite society.

ANTHONY MANGAN

Spirit Lake