BARRY'S "LOADED" REMARK

I have been asked what I think about the statement Councilman Walker made in The State Newspaper - Neighbors Section on Thursday, October 15, 2009. His statement was in point 5) "Irmo should require all head of household residents over 18 years of age to own a loaded firearm in their home".

If I recall correctly, when Irmo Town Council changed our ordinances to allow firing a gun and hunting in areas zoned Fringe Agricultural, Councilman Walker objected to this change because of his concern that bullets may fall in areas zoned differently. But yet now, weeks before an election, he seems to be supporting gun ownership. I'll guess as long as you own a loaded gun, but don't shoot it, that would be permissible.

But here's where I stand ... I have always agreed and support our Second Amendment Right - To Bear Arms. In fact, I do believe if more citizens owned guns and were properly trained and experienced in the use of those guns, then crime rates would drop. But I believe that each individual has the right to make that choice about gun ownership, and whether or not it should be loaded is completely up to them. I don't think government, and especially Irmo, has any responsibility to mandate or require any resident to own a gun, loaded or not.

Now, what do you think? If "Common Sense Matters", which of these two statements is common sense? Common sense, isn't so common, is it?

Another point, Irmo Police Department has a Serving Our Seniors (SOS) Program in place that offers scheduled checkups and patrol for all our Senior Citizens who call. Any senior interested may call the Irmo Police Department - 781-8088 to sign up.

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