I disagree with the last week’s guest column about getting rid of guns and how it would solve the problem of school shootings. The public is in more danger when it can not own guns than when it can. People that are willing to commit a crime could easily get a gun by illegal means. The Virginia Tech shooter had likely planned the shooting in advance and most likely could have purchased his guns on the black market. The Northern Illinois University shooter could easily have done the same. There are many ways to prevent school shootings, but the main ones are to report anything suspicious and get help and keep an eye on those having major psychological issues. Don’t think it could not happen here. Before you try to make it more difficult for law abiding citizens to own a gun, put yourself in a criminal’s shoes. Would you rather commit a crime where the public can have guns or in a place where they are illegal or difficult to own? What would have happened at those shootings if a student or staff member had legally carried a concealed gun?

John Kasson
Senior
Electrical Engineering