Dear Editor

I would like to comment on the item on page five of the April 29 issue of the Bryan County News.

I find it incredible that someone can put the title "Columnist" by their name (Bill Shipp) who doesn’t do any research and only uses his feelings.

He stated "Deadly shootings are occurring with greater frequency;" however, a simple Google search will show that the U.S. murder rate has decreased from a high of 10.2 per 100,000 people in 1980 to 5.6 per 100,000 people in 2007. It seems curious that the number of concealed carry permits increased at the same time the murder rate went down.

The U.S. has the 26th highest murder rate in the world, but the number one ranking for rape. It seems to me that more women with guns in their purses could do more for the country than more gun laws that would give the bad guys an even bigger advantage than they have now.

Andy Smith