Editorial - Sheriff wants more concealed carry

[ELB]

Note that the "El Paso" mentioned below is El Paso County, Colorado, not the city of El Paso, Texas.

http://www.gazette.com/opinion/hidden_3 ... esday.html

Gazette.com Colorado Springs
Our View - Wednesday

March 11, 2008 - 11:22PM
Hidden guns
Sheriff wants more concealed carry

El Paso County Sheriff Terry Maketa wants more guns - not for his deputies, but for citizens. "Offenders in the jail system tell me they avoid crimes against people because they know there is a very high concealed-carry rate," Maketa told The Gazette.

But it's not high enough, and Maketa said he wishes more citizens would train to carry concealed and apply for permits. El Paso County has the highest number of concealed carry permits in the state, at 8,400 - a statistic that makes public safety advocates proud. But El Paso County also has a higher population than any other county in the state.

For every 1,000 people living in El Paso County, about 14 have permits to carry concealed weapons. The number is low enough that in small crowds - in places like movie theaters and average-sized churches - it's possible nobody has a lawfully concealed weapon with which to provide protection in the event of an attack. Although El Paso County has the highest overall number of permits, at least one county has us beat by a country mile in the number of permits issued per resident.

The winner in permits per capita - the statistic that matters most - is Hinsdale County. The permits issued in 2007 alone equaled nearly 54 permits per 1,000 residents. Outstanding, Hinsdale. It's obvious why so many residents in Hinsdale County assume responsibility for the safety of themselves and others. It's the most remote county in Colorado, and one of the most isolated regions of the United States. The Discovery Channel revealed Hinsdale County as one of the few places in the country with almost no roads.

People in Hinsdale County have no delusional expectations that police will race to the scene and save them from animal or criminal attacks. The false sense of security provided by 911 isn't in play out there.

Unfortunately, the urban residents of El Paso County have little more third-party protection than the folks in Hinsdale County have. They just think they do. On a good day, police can arrive on the scene of a crime in eight minutes - about seven minutes and 55 seconds too late to save lives from a rampage killer.

If you're a responsible, law-abiding citizen, give Sheriff Maketa his wish. Get trained, get licensed, and carry concealed. Make El Paso County a criminal's least-favorite place.

[lrb111]

What a fun read!

[locknload]

Honey, let's retire to there!!

[nitrogen]

More and more people are "getting it."

A few of them are even democrats/liberals. Slowly, but surely, the truth will get out there.

[Penn]

It's obvious why so many residents in Hinsdale County assume responsibility for the safety of themselves and others. It's the most remote county in Colorado, and one of the most isolated regions of the United States. The Discovery Channel revealed Hinsdale County as one of the few places in the country with almost no roads.

People in Hinsdale County have no delusional expectations that police will race to the scene and save them from animal or criminal attacks. The false sense of security provided by 911 isn't in play out there.
.

[/quote]

This is the what everyones attitude should be. I don't live in the boonies, but it would take a cop at least 10 minutes to get to where I'm at, unless one happened to be driving past. Most people always expect someone else to bail them out of trouble.

[45 4 life]

I lived in Colorado for 11 years before deciding a Texan should live in Texas. During my time there, which much of was spent as an LEO I also witnessed that in the more rural areas of the state open carry was obvious, and in Colorado legal as well. While the Sheriff is concerned about the number of permits I am sure there are more armed citizens around him. However anytime I here support from members of departments I can only say thanks and applaud their comments. I am going to do that in an email right now.

[Venus Pax]

This is an encouraging article. I wish more agency chiefs here would read it.

[aardwolf]

This is an encouraging article. I wish more agency chiefs here would read it.

It sounds like this sheriff went into law enforcement to fight crime and protect the good people.

Others go into law enforcement to carry a gun and boss people around. You can usually identify them by their opposition to well armed citizens.