To the Editor:

Just a thought about the Newtown Action Alliance letter to the editor [The Newtown Bee, “A Problem That Needs Solving”,] April 9. I would just like to say that I have never been to one of the NAA rallies. But if the question is, are they afraid of a law-abiding citizen carrying a gun in plain sight and they think one or two of them might just draw it and shoot someone on the spot, that’s not out of the question, and yes, it is a possibility, but is it a probability? But if a person would show up with a baseball bat, wouldn’t that be intimidating? By having people who open carry might just deter the bad element from showing up at these events. Just my thoughts. ANTIFA is an ultra-left organization that has been mixing into other rallies and beating people, and sending many to the hospital. Not to worry they would not show up at an anti-gun rights event to destroy property and hurt people, we should only worry about the law-abiding citizens in this case, in many cases your own Newtown neighbors. If the real problem is intimidation, could it be your fear that is the problem?

Possibly you are afraid of guns and you do not want to be around them, so this means that the person carrying a pistol in the open should be stopped and his rights should be infringed upon for the greater good. I ask who determines the greater good? As we learned over last summer, it is okay to burn cities and loot stores, and yes, kill people, in the name of social justice. Is this the greater good?

It takes time, effort, and money to get your gun permit in Connecticut. The whole process requires a person get fingerprinted, background checked, and take a pistol safety course, along with spending hundreds of dollars to get the right to carry a gun in Connecticut. After going through all this, these people have been vetted. If you have an issue with someone that is open carrying, just talk to the person and get to know them. Tell them that you find it uncomfortable to be around them. I am sure they would be willing to discuss the issue in a sane manner. They might help you see things differently and defuse your fears. Do not just tune them out because you do not like guns and feel guns are unsafe. These people are your neighbors, not your enemy, especially here in Newtown.

Is there a problem that NAA is trying to solve, or are they making up a problem? Then they solve this made-up problem to feel they are doing good work? Think about this before you let them take more of your rights away.

I ask the Legislative Council to stay strong on this issue and defend the rights of the people of Newtown and vote NO on this ordinance.

This is my opinion.

Tom DePalo

42 Valley Field Road South, Sandy Hook April 23, 2021