Letter: Firearms protect the meekest among us

From: Jim Lucas

State representative District 69

Seymour

In response to Denny Kubal’s Jan. 31 letter regarding gun safety legislation, I would like to make my stance on gun rights crystal clear, just so there is no further misunderstanding.

As a realist, I am trying to save lives, and I am very interested in addressing this issue. I believe guns save lives. Firearms, along with the understanding of how to safely use them, provide the meekest among us the ability to defend themselves and loved ones against multiple threats.

We should be able to agree that every death is tragic, but instead of trying to diminish these tragic deaths through the use of talking points, I merely point them out as a fact of our existence in a country of 315 million people. While about two-thirds of gun deaths are suicides, the overwhelming remainder are the result of people intentionally not obeying existing law. We have a people problem, not a gun problem, and it really is that simple.

The solutions Mr. Kubal seeks for what he refers to as a gun problem are simple; we should be encouraging people to seek proper training in the handling and use of a firearm. This educates the lawful person and will help prevent negligent actions. The impossible utopia that Mr. Kubal is demanding is not only incredibly dangerous, but actually puts innocent people in harm’s way. Criminals do not obey existing gun laws, and these gun laws only serve to make innocent people helpless against those who have absolutely no regard for life or law.

As a lawmaker, I ask, what law can I propose that will work on people that have no regard for human life or law?

It is my intention to do everything in my power to see that every lawful Hoosier has their constitutionally protected right to keep and bear arms protected and advanced. I will continue to promote that it is the individual, not the police, who is the first and best line of defense against those who wish to do us harm, and will point out that the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that the police do not have a duty to protect us. I believe it immoral to expect another human being to risk their life to save mine when it is well within my power to defend myself and loved ones.

Although the facts show that gun homicides are down by 50 percent over the last 20 years, even as the number of gun sales has seen astronomical growth, I will constantly encourage lawful Hoosiers to seek out the many outstanding training opportunities there are to be found in our area.

Rest assured, I will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that the exploding number of lawful Hoosiers who are getting their license to carry handguns, purchasing firearms and taking firearm safety classes know that there is someone in Indianapolis who respects and fights for these rights. These are the actions that will protect Hoosiers.