To the Editor:

Thought I could maybe help out Lou Carpenter [“The Holster On My Hip,” Letter Hive, 8/23/13] and others confused about why many of us in Newtown/Sandy Hook might get very upset seeing them open-carry their weapons around town.

I realize that some of these people might have their heart in the right place and truly may not understand.

A few months ago, as you know, our town was rocked by the use of guns to try to terrorize and destroy us. Needless to say, we are highly sensitive on the subject… yes, it was a madman using the gun, but regardless, it was a gun that was used.  I repeat:  it was a gun.

And there are quite a few in town who don’t have a problem with hunting rifles, revolvers, and bows used in the right place and at the right time. I am one of those. Those who understand that owning a gun, although a right, is also a privilege. You respect your guns.

Here is what I have observed:  Before this event, no one bothered with open-carrying. It just was not really done... not necessary. You yourself, Lou Carpenter, said you never had before.

Even in Louisiana, “Sportsman’s Paradise” where I lived most of my younger life, it still isn’t really done because it’s just not necessary.  When I visit my family, if we see anyone there wearing a weapon, they’ve got an official reason to be doing do.

However, since our horrific event, for some reason, there are many here in Connecticut who have decided that wearing their gun in the open makes a point. What point I am not sure, but they think it proves something.

Are you using open-carry to prove that you have the legal right to do so? We know you have the right:  open-carrying doesn’t make your right to do it any “righter.”

Is it to prove you’re tough? If you’re tough, you already know you are. You don’t have to advertise it all the time to everyone; only when necessary.

Maybe we don’t like it because… wearing your weapon openly to the grocery store where patrons and/or their child may have been at SHE [Sandy Hook Elementary] that fateful day, sees your gun and has flashbacks…

…or to Starbucks where, not only for the aforementioned reason, but also where one of the baristas was a teacher-victim at SHE…

…or that flaunting your gun around town like someone showing off their toy, makes it appear as if you do not care what just happened here.  But maybe you didn’t think of that?

I’m absolutely not saying you don’t care, I’m just saying that you are rubbing salt in very raw wounds…it has only been a few months – not even a year.  We cannot read your mind that you do care; we only know what we see with our eyes.

Open-carry all you want; it’s your right! Just take it a few miles down the road to another town where our day of terror at SHE did not happen.

Liz Sortino

13 Turkey Roost Road, Sandy Hook          August 26, 2013