JAMES W. KING: Gun control laws won’t stop mass shootings

Gun control laws do not stop a determined fanatic from obtaining firearms and committing mass murders of the type that occurred in Las Vegas. The only thing that can stop such an individual or individuals are law-abiding citizens with carry permits, police or SWAT teams with firearms.

The organizer of this country music event did not have adequate security. A privately financed security SWAT team should have been employed to provide security with sniper rifle ability to quickly neutralize the shooter. Schools in America do not have adequate security, along with theaters and most public places and events. Gun-free zones are a magnet for fanatics because they expect no resistance from someone who is armed.

I raised and educated seven children and school security was always a concern. I talked to several school principals. Basically, their answer was, “We don’t get many visitors.” Well, duh. It only takes one to cause mayhem. I provided a professional course of firearms training to both my teenage sons and daughters. I encourage women to train and carry a handgun with a legal permit.

In 1989 in Albany, my wife saved her life and that of my 9-month-old son by having a carry permit and a quickly available pistol. A would-be rapist tried to abduct her. He fled when she pulled the pistol. That night, he abducted an unarmed woman and cut her throat “ear to ear” after raping her.

Criminals, fanatics and the mentally deranged do not obey laws. Liberals always seem to think passing new gun control law is the answer. It is not because it only affects law-abiding citizens. Has the Drug War stopped people from getting drugs? No.

If gun-free zones were effective and obeyed, using the same logic America could put up “Military Free Country” signs and then shut down and disband America’s Army, Marines, Air Force and Navy and not expect to be invaded. Of course America would be invaded, and shootings at schools and other public events will continue unless adequate security is provided. Only a “good” man (or woman) with a gun can stop a “bad man” with a gun.

JAMES W. KING

Albany

EDITOR’S NOTE: James W. King is a sales agent for antique and classic firearms, an NRA endowment member and commander of the Albany Sons of Confederate Veterans.