The Free Press, Mankato, MN

Your View

January 5, 2013

Your View: Chaos can easily occur in dangerous situations

Art Carlson, Waseca

I wish to make a reply to the NRA executive’s comment, “It only takes one good man with a gun to stop a bad man with a gun.

Just a little background on my life. I was raised in North Dakota and was given a single shot .22 at the age of 14. I used it to hunt jack rabbits and gophers. I carried a .12 gauge shotgun when I went with adults duck and pheasant hunting.

We knew where cattle and houses were when we shot. The guns were unloaded and checked before they went in the house.

Before the start of World War II, my North Dakota guard unit was called into federal service — Pearl Harbor. I was transferred to a unit that was sent to the South Pacific. For four years, I carried loaded guns — a “45” and others.

I was shot at and I shot back. I am alive.

Now for the question. What if someone loses his marbles and starts shooting in a crowded room and there are two NRA members, carrying their guns, who start to reply? When the police arrive, how do they know who are the good guys and who are the bad guys?

Don’t tell me it is calm and clear in a fire fight.

Text Only | Photo Reprints
Your View
  • Local water decisions were foolish

    May 24, 2013

  • mfp jentgesmug Many counter-argue global warming

    Like Leigh Pomeroy (Act now on Earth Day, April 27) I try to do what I can as an individual to protect the environment, and encourage others to do likewise.

    May 22, 2013 1 Photo

  • mfp maertens mug Republicans natter about 'I' word

    Mitt Romney first politicized the Sept. 11 terrorist attack on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, Libya, only hours after the event, by claiming the president sympathized with terrorists

    May 22, 2013 1 Photo

  • mfp yezzimug ACA benefits ignored by writer

    Bob Jentges’ May 8 My View strikes me as being like a football coach trying to frighten players into quitting when the game has barely begun. His wholly negative piece reads like a catalog of scare tactics.

    May 21, 2013 1 Photo

  • Apology in abuse case was not accepted

    I am the mother of the victim in the Miguel Beltran child abuse case. I would like to clarify one thing in regards to the recent article that was printed.

    May 21, 2013

  • Highway cleanup crews priceless at 100 degrees As I was driving home from work in the late afternoon on the first 100 degree spring day, I saw, proudly wearing their bright, neon green safety vests and picking up garbage in the ditches, were the Adopt a Highway volunteer crews. When I honked my h

    May 19, 2013

  • mfp dekruifmug DFL budget leaves out reform The 2013 Minnesota Legislature started facing a projected budget shortfall of $635 million and by state mandate must balance the budget. The new DFL controlled government has a "fix" for this shortfall; raising taxes and fees for all Minnesotans by a

    May 18, 2013 1 Photo

  • Bell of Honor sign of respect for heroes Recently, I had the opportunity to go to the North Mankato Funeral Home for David Sandmeyer's military visitation. It was a very moving experience. Sandmeyer was the young man who was a 21-year-old Marine from Mankato. He was stationed in North Carol

    May 18, 2013

  • MSU falls while coach Hoffner will win again Attention MSU Alumni You and I have just learned of the decision that the Minnesota State University leadership, i.e. Dr. Davenport, Mr. Kevin Buisman (and probably others) have made concerning Todd Hoffner, the former MSU Football Coach. This firing

    May 17, 2013

  • Minnesota deserves lawmakers with a clue Our senators, Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken were part of a group to vote for and pass Obamacare. You know the overwhelming law that the Democratic leadership (Reid and Pelosi) said you'll have to pass it to find out what's in it. Exactly what they did

    May 17, 2013