Key to stopping massacres, crime is arming citizens

Yes, it is time to "Take action after Roseburg School Massacre." We need to arm more honest, law-abiding citizens and train them in the use of their weapon of choice. We need to call our Florida legislators and get them to pass an "open carry" of a firearm law.

If we don't arm our citizens, we will begin to see what has happened in Australia since they banned semi-automatic rifles and shotguns, pump shotguns and semi-automatic pistols: Murders with a firearm increased 19 percent. Home invasions are up 21 percent. Assaults committed with guns have increased 28 percent. Armed robberies skyrocketed by 69 percent!

In England since they banned guns, gun crime has soared 35 percent. Crime with a handgun is up 46 percent.

So, check out the FBI Crime Statistics concerning crime in states that have passed laws allowing private citizens to carry a concealed weapon or open carry weapon: Violent crime has dropped considerably.

In the state of Florida, have you seen any mass shootings? No! Rapes, Robberies, break-ins and armed assaults are down in Florida because honest, law-abiding citizens are armed to the teeth.

Mike McLeod

Palmetto

This story was originally published October 17, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Key to stopping massacres, crime is arming citizens ."