I submitted the following 'Letter to the Editor' to '
newsroom@capegazette.com ' :
Letter to the Editor:
Your 'Poll' titled "should state parks be gun-free" was overly simplistic. It is as useless and nonsensical a question as "Should state parks be crime-free?" !! A better phrasing of the question would be 'Should a law-abiding citizen have the same ability to defend themselves in a state park as in the rest of the state? Yes____ No____' .
There are more than 15,000 law abiding citizens of Delaware who have gone through the rigorous process of obtaining a Concealed Deadly Weapon License from the state, including thorough background check, fingerprinting, 2-day mandatory class (includes all aspects of safety, law, use of deadly force and how to avoid using it, as well as proving proficiency with a firearm, and many other requirements) . Typical cost for a CDW license is in the $500 ballpark, so these licenses are not sought, or handed out by the state, lightly. So the question becomes : "Do I check my safety, and the safety of my family, at the door when I enter a state park? Does anyone really believe a sign at the park entrance "No Guns Allowed" will be heeded by a criminal, or someone intent on doing harm to others in a "Gun-Free Zone" ?? Thank You !!
Joseph Janes
Newark and Dewey Beach, DE 302-737-2720
