Editorial written 2009

Those angry about gun violence have a right to protect themselves
Published: April 18, 2009

The Columbus Dispatch Edition: Home Final Section: Editorial & CommentPage: 11A

In his letter of April 9, Lee H. Lybarger asked, "Why aren't Americans getting as angry about gun violence as they are about abortions and the bonuses paid to bankers?" He continued, "Most significantly, why are church congregations so silent on this epidemic?"

I can't speak for all Americans or all other church congregations, but I can say, as for myself as an American and as a pastor, I am not silent.

I fully support the right of every American to own and, when in need, use a gun. I also support the Constitution, which gives us the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, rights that are violated by criminals, abortion and socialist governments.

Perhaps Americans are not outraged because they realize the problem is not with legal gun ownership but rather with the liberal policies that would allow criminals, the mentally insane and politicians the opportunity to abuse our rights.

Lybarger differentiates "good people" from "handgun lovers." He says perhaps "good people are intimidated by handgun lovers."

I have dedicated my life to loving and serving people. I would hope that would qualify me as a good person. But it's not so much a love for handguns that causes me to support Americans' right to own guns. Rather, it's out of love for my grandfather, who fought in World War I to preserve those rights; my love for my father, who earned a Purple Heart in World War II to preserve these same rights; my love for my children and grandchildren, who will never know the freedoms already lost since I was a boy in this country. But mostly it is out of my love for this nation and its Constitution, which also guarantees me the opportunity to possess whatever gun I might to defend myself and my family, not only against criminals but also, if need be, from those in political power -- to defend this nation.

Lybarger's outrage is misplaced. Rather than being angry because we live in a free nation, where we have the right to protect ourselves, he ought to be angry toward the lawless, who abuse our laws, and those in Congress who would legislate our rights away.

In closing, I am not a member of the National Rifle Association or any other gun-rights group. But I am an American. That gives me reason enough to defend our Constitution and our nation.
THE REV. GARY HOLMAN Westerville