Weapons at community celebrations are wrong

I am writing in regard to the recent Associated Press article published in the IJ concerning Missouri's gun rights and laws (“Gun rights expansive in Missouri, scene of Chiefs' parade shooting,” Feb. 17).

The state permits most everyone, even minors, to carry guns in public. Missouri's mentality appears to be that the more armed law-abiding citizens there are, the more they can assist police during an insurrection. This clearly didn't occur in the Kansas City shooting during the Super Bowl celebration.

Attacks on public gatherings have become a form of guerilla warfare, used quite effectively by terrorists. The attacker uses sudden surprise by opening fire in a peaceful setting to create mass panic, fright and confusion. Having multiple well-intentioned citizens draw guns in defense could cause responding law enforcement uncertainty in identifying the actual shooters. For most public attacks in crowds, such as in Kansas City, attendees immediately seek shelter and protection, especially for children.

The original unamended U.S. Constitution calls for the “organizing, arming and training” of a state militia to “suppress insurrection.” I suggest that peaceful community “militias” should be considered instead. They might consist of responsible local citizens undergoing training to assist and interact with law enforcement and security to protect the public at heavily attended events.

They could pass information to isolate an incident at its source, help with evacuation as required and only use weapons if directly threatened. There are many auxiliary groups currently in existence assisting various professional services.

Sensible, responsible citizens have every right to own weapons in self-defense, but carrying them individually to crowded venues is of little value or support.

— Chuck Viebrock, Novato