Hello from Chicago! I moved from Texas, where my rights were assumed and guaranteed, to Chicago, where my rights are severely infringed. This move has frustrated me, but now, my eyes are open, and will always be open, to the threats of gun control advocates and the dire realities posed by their policy.

Regarding GA bill 89, I wrote the following letter:

I understand that the The Atlanta Journal – Constitution is asking citizens whether Governor Perdue should sign or veto Bill 89, the liberalized concealed carry bill.

As a licensed concealed carry permit holder who enjoys reciprocity with Georgia when I travel there, I feel that he should sign the bill. Largely, I base my opinion on proven public policy, not to mention second amendment guarantees.

Regarding policy, state concealed carry laws have been heavily scrutinized and studied. Such laws are prevalent (48 states with some form of this law) and successful (no state has repealed such law). In the majority of states for which data is available, concealed carry has been credited with reducing crime, particularly violent crime rates. In the remaining states, it has been found to have had no statistically significant effect. Within no state have these laws been shown to increase crime. Thus, and generally, concealed carry is good policy that promotes the public safety and well-being.

Perhaps the most vocal opponents of this proposed rule express concern that there will be trouble in establishments that serve alcohol should it become lawful for licensed, trained, and permitted adults to carry concealed firearms there (while abstaining from drink). I feel this argument has little merit (if any). Nationwide, approximately 3% of the adult population undergoes the criminal background checks, the training, the licensing, and the fee payment, etc., just to exercise their right to bear arms and to defend themselves and their loved ones from harm. The citizens receiving these licenses are the most law-abiding among us – the rate of license revocation among these people is measured in the hundredths of a single percentage point. Moreover, many states allow carry in drinking establishments but all bar drinking while carrying. The very people that are the most law-abiding in our society – the concealed carry license holders – have demonstrated that they abide the law. Because they abide the law, they will abide the prohibition against drinking while carrying.

This is common-sense legislation, and it is my hope that Governor Purdue, in good and rational judgement, signs Bill 89 into law.