TO THE EDITOR:
I consider myself a fairly creative person. I think in different ways, and can often spot the logical flaws in a situation and metally illustrate them with ease.
What I can't do is create a tangible illustration- I can't draw worth a damn. Stick figures prove a challenge at times.
So I'm left with only my words, and my ability to be creative- thus I give you, the written cartoon.
Picture a scene on campus. It's a cool, overcast spring day (April 30th perhaps?). Susy Sophomore is walking uptown to join her Sisters of Gamma Delta Iota for lunch, when her path crosses that of Jeff, Don and Bill. Jeff has a rifle slung across his back. Don and Bill each have handguns holstered on their waists.
Susy is initially surprised to see these three men, openly carrying firearms on campus. They don't appear to be police officers? But soon curiosity surpasses surprise and Susy begins a conversation with the group. They explain that they are here to inform students of the laws surrounding owning and carrying a firearm, and the right we have to use them to defend ourselves. They also explain that they hope to encourage lawmakers and administrators to stop restricting these rights to law-abiding students simply because they've entered a public university campus.
Meanwhile, a few other characters lurk about. Patrick is walking, keeping to himself and seeming innocent enough, but Patrick is also carrying something of interest. Patrick is carrying a secret- that during his freshman year, he drugged and raped his downstairs neighbor.
Bob is not too far away, and Bob also has a gun in his possession today. Only Bob was once convicted of a domestic violence charge and therefore cannot legally own a firearm. Yet he has one on his person, and concealed- even with the proper license (which Bob could never get with his record), it is not currently legal to carry concealed on an Ohio campus.
And finally Jim. Jim has fallen on hard times. He's struggled with drugs and lost his job. Unfortunately Jim has chosen a less-than-desirable means to support himself and his habit. With his dark hoodie and folding knife, he anxiously awaits the late night hours, when defenseless students, possibly impaired following a night of drinking, will come right to him, carrying their wallets and pricey possessions.
Susy is completely unaware of these other three men. She remains engaged in her chat with Jeff, Don and Bill. By now she has learned that each of them hold a license to carry a concealed firearm- they've undergone rigorous criminal background checks, firearm safety training and registered fingerprints with authorities. Jeff is a firearm safety instructor with 20 years experience. Don and Bill, though younger have a few years each as well. None of the three have ever fired their weapons outside of a shooting range, and each hopes they never have to.
Anxious to join her friends, Susy excuses herself and everyone heads off on their way. She still is not aware, and will all luck will never be, of Patrick, Bob or Jim.
But one question remains- of these two groups of men, which are the real threat? Who should Susy truly be scared of?
Donovan Corcoran
corcordp@miamioh.edu