To the editor:

I cannot understand why so many people are so upset over allowing law-abiding citizens to carry concealed weapons. The ones they need to be concerned about are the thugs carrying weapons illegally.

Our governor and other like-minded politicians want to issue executive orders and pass local ordinances against concealed weapons in most public places. Will these orders or ordinances deter a determined individual from shooting up a public building? The answer is obvious.

It seems to me these orders and ordinances are sending a message to deranged individuals that says, "If you want to shoot up a courthouse, school or post office, we're going to make absolutely sure there won't be anyone there to stop you."

The same mentality applies to arming airline pilots. If I knew the pilot was armed, that's the plane I would want to fly on. If there are half a dozen law-abiding passengers on board with concealed weapons, so much the better.

It would be great if we lived in a perfect world, but unfortunately we don't. It seems to be getting crazier and more dangerous every day. The solution is not executive orders and more ordinances against law-abiding citizens. If more people carried concealed weapons, thugs and crazies might be motivated to take up a less hazardous line of work.

CARL HURST

Marble Hill, Mo.