Letters to the editor Jan. 23
Concealed carry
William Fry’s letter on Jan. 15, where he writes that “this new right to carry law... gives citizens who may be an easy target for criminals the right to... protect themselves.” What Mr. Fry and many other people (including our esteemed AG and governor) seem to forget is that we already possessed said right. However, with such a right comes a great deal of responsibility, namely, the responsibility to arm oneself not only with a concealed firearm, but with the knowledge and training to know when and how to use it, and what to do afterwards.
A prerequisite for a concealed carry permit under the old law was that the applicant have a certain amount of training and education in regards to firearms safety and marksmanship, as well as the law as it pertains to self defense. I fail to see a downside to that. Sure, Mr. Fry and most responsible and experienced gun owners would agree that anyone who is going to walk around with a concealed weapon SHOULD get training, but I would wager that there are plenty of people who wouldn’t take the time to do so. Making training a requirement is a good thing. Let’s keep that provision and encourage those who choose to carry to get plenty of training and maintain their shooting skills on a regular basis.
Mr. Fry also states that the new law does not allow felons or those under indictment to carry or purchase a firearm, and points out that they never have been. That’s right, they never have been. Therefore, the new law changed nothing in that regard, so why did we need a new law?
Montana already had a high percentage of trained people with CCW permits, enough to make most potential attackers think twice.
With freedom comes responsibility, not just for ourselves, but for all of humanity. That, Mr. Fry, is what freedom is all about. And freedom is not nearly as dangerous a thing as ignorance.
— Tim Wiley, Kalispell
Save the trees
I want to publicly thank Frank Sweeney for his continued voice protecting trees in Whitefish. As a Whitefish City Council member, he brought up the fact that trees on Spokane Avenue are mature and healthy. Sweeney stated that there is no reason to cut them down and replace them with small trees. These large trees provide shade, bird habitat, and protect our air quality.
Frank Sweeney now brings up the heavily treed lot where a developer wants to construct a 56-unit residential subdivision planned off Fairway Drive near the Grouse Mountain soccer fields. The developer states he will protect trees. This rarely happens.
Will Whitefish enforce the developer to keep his word? Will penalties be significant?
People are moving here and cutting down trees so they can have a view of a mountain. Reduce the pouring of more concrete, leave your home to get a view of the mountain, save our mature trees that provide habitat for birds, shade, and clean our air.
— Linda Hunt, Whitefish
Imagine If
Imagine If – You were appointed as head of the public library.
Imagine If – You changed the name of the edifice to disassociate it from public ownership.
Imagine If – You discovered material that you personally objected to on “your” shelves.
Imagine If – You used your authority to drive off everyone who did not agree with you.
Imagine If – You only hired employees that agreed with you to replace those that left.
Imagine If – You decided to remove all the materials that offended you personally as not fit for adult consumption.
Imagine If – The public realizes what you are doing to THEIR library.
IMAGINE IF !
— Gerald Hurst, Marion
Play ball!
I was excited to see that Kalispell is getting a baseball team and stadium. The team mascot is a good fit-surely his name should be Rocky!
Looking forward to watching some games.
— Sandra Waldrip, Dayton