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December 1, 2009

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Letter: Armed citizenry can defend itself

Friday, Sept. 24, 1999 | 9:45 a.m.

Here we are in the wake of yet another shooting spree. Right on cue the anti-gun people are out in force, using this tragedy to promote their agenda.

I would like to remind you of a quote from Thomas Jefferson in 1764: "Laws that forbid the carrying of arms disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes.

"Such laws make things worse for the assaulted and better for the assailants; they serve rather to encourage than prevent homicides, for an unarmed man may be attacked with greater confidence than an armed man."

Two years ago in Pearl, Miss., a troubled student shot and killed two of his classmates. Fortunately, Joel Myrick, the assistant principal had a gun in his car.

He prevented the shooting from becoming worse by holding the student at gunpoint until the police arrived. A similar situation occurred a year later in Edinboro, Pa., at a school dance.

Gun control would do nothing to prevent any of these shootings. But an armed teacher, administrator or citizen can prevent a Littleton tragedy.

If it were your child, wouldn't you hope for a Joel Myrick?

JEAN CLABOUGH, Carson City

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