This letter was sent (but not printed) to the Richmond Times-Dispatch in response to an article by one of their staff members.

December 5, 2001

Dear Sir,

I write to voice my dismay with Mr. McAllister’s recent musings as well as the decision’s of Mr. Hazelett in Henrico County and other Virginia counties that are contemplating similar actions.

I refer specifically to the continued attacks on my 2nd amendment rights. As a concealed permit holder I strongly resent the fact that I am labeled as a potential threat since I choose to do nothing more than exercise that right.

Mr. McAllister, and others of his ilk, seem to overlook the fact that I have undergone a background check by the Chesterfield County Police Department and had my permit approved by a circuit court judge. These are the same people who do the background investigations for the police personnel department that hires officers for the county. Are we to thus assume that our police department is a similar threat to society?

Can Mr. McAllister point to any recent crimes or acts of terrorism that have been committed by a concealed permit holder? Were Mr. Hazelett, and others in similar positions, to apply common-sense and a knowledge of history as quickly as they do emotionalism who knows how much better off we would be, societally speaking.

In closing I wish to simply say, "It’s not the weapons, it’s the criminals, stupid!"

Yours for liberty,

Floyd C. Bayne