The concern about concealed carry has increased among the gun-uncomfortable public since the Trayvon Martin shooting. Everyone seems worried that people with permits to carry concealed weapons are all George Zimmerman types — itching for a fight, having questionable judgment, not obeying directions from a 911 dispatcher, and unconcerned about the legal liability of using a handgun in self-defense.

None of that could be further from the truth.

One-hundred percent of concealed carry permit holders are keenly aware of all the legal and ethical issues involved. It comes as part of the training process they go through to obtain the permit.

Of course, they are all unique individuals and come from all walks of life. But people who carry concealed weapons take their responsibility seriously. Most do not have the “hero” fantasy. Most have read “In the Gravest Extreme” by Massad Ayoob and most carry their weapons carefully and responsibly.

If the permit holder is doing it right, no one else will know he or she is carrying a weapon; it never leaves the holster or its concealment for any reason.

A person carrying a concealed weapon doesn’t brag, show off or brandish it. To do so contradicts the whole idea of concealed carry.

 

     I have to agree with this author. Not everyone who has a concealed weapon wants to use it. In fact I'm sure there are some who would rather not carry a weapon around, but do it as a percaution. They would rather live in a world where we could trust a cmplete stranger with our lives without a second thought. That, unfortunatly, is not the case. Ordinary poeple are afraid of poeple they have never met, because for they know the person walking down the street toward them could be a mugger or murderer. Some people just need that extra sense of security. After all, the old saying goes "There is never a cop around when you need."

     Another frustrating trend that continued early in this game is the opponents' refusal to kick the ball to the Oregon returners, especially Thomas. In fact, the fumbled punt return by Thomas came from a kick that went end over end, and he just tried to make a play off of it. I must admit that it is a good strategy to kick the ball away from him and out of bounds so that there is no return, and then you force the offense to have to go a little bit further to get into the end zone. This kind of strategy however, is frustrating for the fans because it doesn't afford many exciting plays on special teams, which can really give life to a game if you ask me.

     As frustrating as it may be for a team to continuously kick the ball to the outside and out of bounds, it is necessary for a team that is so out matched. It was probably the only good strategy that Tennessee could come with to get around DeAnthony Thomas' speed and agility. With the on side kicks Tennessee was really trying to avoid as much humiliation as possible by denying Oregon the possible points that Thomas could have scored on the returns. After all the final score was 63 to 14, in favor of Oregon. And as for the kicks making the game boring, it was not big deal because Oregon, with their skill, can make a special play even if it's not on a return. Oregon doesn't need returns to make an entertaining game.