Our nation is grieving with the families in Newtown, Conn. Each one of us is envisioning a child or grandchild of our own in such a terrible situation. We would have done anything to prevent this horror from occurring. We have made our schools “safe” and firearm-free, only to realize that determined, mentally ill persons seek out these safe havens to inflict their wrath.

Rep. Phillip Lowe, R-Florence, has introduced legislation to allow concealed carry in the schools. This is not an irrational idea. It would be with administrative approval, and only for permit holders who have demonstrated mastery of their firearms.

Concealed carry means no one knows who is armed. The school is no longer a soft, unarmed target.

In the Aurora, Colo., area, there were eight theaters showing the premiere of “Batman,” but only one was posted against concealed carry. That is the theater the deranged young man chose to unleash his hate.

Teachers died trying to protect their students. Don’t you think they would rather have had the opportunity to prevent the tragic deaths of those beautiful children?

Please ask your state legislators to co-sponsor and support this bill.

Susan Scouten

Sumter