Housing Authority should reverse decision, allow concealed guns

Bradenton Housing Director Ellis Mitchell (Herald, “Housing Authority bans weapons after finding armed staffer,” May 13) made an excellent case for responsible legally armed citizens. He was not aware that anyone within that organization was armed. You see, legally concealed weapons carriers do not cause problems. Their guns remained concealed and many people were not aware that there were guns among them.

However, Mitchell's knee-jerk reaction to ban all guns, put signs on the doors forbidding guns on the premises and warning visitors is an open invitation to criminals that their facility is not protected. That is just the kind of invitation that criminals look for. They do not want any meaningful resistance when they injure or rob individuals.

Also, requiring the legal concealed-carry persons to leave their weapon in their car is ridiculous. They would never have time to retrieve their gun and offer any meaningful response in an emergency.

Ellis Mitchell is not the only person who erred in this situation. The BHA board is also culpable. Their response is that if a BHA employee is hurt on the job by someone else, they are covered under the agency's liability insurance. What a ridiculous, irresponsible attitude.

It is obvious that there were security concerns in this office because they were discussing scheduling at least two people to be there at any time.

If a criminal is intent on doing harm to someone in the BHA office, they will not be deterred by a sign in the window. They may, however, be challenged by a responsible concealed-carry gun owner whose actions could minimize any potential injuries or deaths intended by the criminal.

Ellis Mitchell and the BHA board need to reverse this irresponsible decision.

This story was originally published May 17, 2016 at 1:44 PM with the headline "Housing Authority should reverse decision, allow concealed guns."