As a fan of liberty and the Constitution, I’m opposed to gun-grabbing measures being proposed in Washington. As a fan of common sense and public safety, I'm opposed to measures in Columbia that seemingly want to turn the state into the Wild West.

1. Allowing concealed carry in bars and restaurants: Guns, alcohol and impaired judgment are not a good mix. A minor drunken altercation could escalate quickly between a patron with “liquid courage” and another with a gun.

2. Allowing concealed carry without a permit: Concealed carry permits require people to pass a shooting test. People who can't hit the broad side of a barn have no business packing heat. Police cadets must pass training; why shouldn’t everyone else?

3. Allowing teachers to carry concealed weapons: It would be too easy for a gun to end up in the hands of a student. Furthermore, the average teacher is no better trained to do police work than the average police officer is to teach algebra or biology. Finally, as a teacher, I’d hate to be holding a gun when police respond to reports of a gunman at school. They may shoot first and ask questions later.

Gun laws won’t deter criminals, but having untrained civilians armed at all times seems like a recipe for disaster. There has to be some intersection between freedom and common sense.

Jay Kloss

Rock Hill