To the Editor:

While visiting home this week I fondly perused the pages of the hometown news. I found myself particularly struck by the ‘Word on the Street” and “Letters to the Editor” sections of Wednesday, Oct. 22. I am greatly troubled by the level of concern given to the issue of gun rights.

Recession? Healthcare? Education? Tax reform? Government spending? Energy? Veterans aid? War? And the primary concern voiced is gun rights? Gun rights? I highly doubt that Obama’s No. 1 agenda upon presidency would be to come into our homes and take away our guns.

I will admit, many of us were originally concerned by Obama’s comment that rural people “cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren’t like them.” (http://elections.foxnews.com/2008). However, after considering many of the people in my life, I understand the basis of this comment. Look at us: we have thousands of people out of work or in need of health care, schools without adequate support, an incredible national debt, veterans who have yet to receive the assistance they need once home, troops overseas fighting for those of us who so gallantly sent them off, and all we can think about is our gun rights? Our gun rights?

Yes, protect our right to bear arms. But please, also protect our right to not feel the need to protect ourselves on a personal level. Please, protect our right to not allow guns into the hands of the unqualified.

There are quite obviously many who should never carry a gun. The requirements to carry vary greatly between states: to obtain a concealed weapons permit in Oregon, you must pass a background check, complete a gun handler’s course, and be over the age of 21. To carry in Idaho, all you have to provide is proof of a hunting license. In Alaska, Alaska Statute 11.61.220 allows anyone 21 or older, who may legally carry a firearm to also carry it concealed without having to obtain a special permit. (www.dps.alaska.gov/statewide).

It is time we stop being so self indulgent. We, in Grant County, are lucky enough to live in an area where violence and gun crimes are not the norm. But does that mean we should not recognize that gun crimes are an everyday issue, an everyday threat in many large population areas across the nation?

Let us stop thinking in terms of “I.” Let us begin thinking in terms of “US.” Are we not the U.S. after all?

We are an entire nation, not just a county, not just a state. It is time our political concerns took on weight of the greater good. No leader, no politician, no president will ever do exactly what everyone wants – there are too many mouths to feed. But grant our nation the gift of voting wisely, the gift of thinking bigger than ourselves. Think not just for your personal rights but for the rights of others also. Exercise your power of citizenship in a proud way- vote, vote in a manner that strengthens our nation.

Please note: The sources I cited are factual and credible sources. These facts can be verified. I strongly advise against using sources such as Wikipedia and special interest websites. These are not viable references as anyone can develop the site or articles in respect to their own personal bias. Wikipedia is the product of individual contributions that are not checked for validity of facts.

Anne Terese Cerny

Bear Valley