I wrote to my state representative and asked him to oppose expanded open carry of firearms to every extent possible.
There’s a very big difference between expanded open carry and concealed carry. People instantly sense it.
Open carry automatically raises the emotional heat of any encounter. The firearm becomes a standing threat that any disagreement, however reasonable, could escalate to instant death. The ordinary steps of negotiating with another are replaced with one predominant consideration: fear. Fearful is how we will have to behave, and we will have to teach our children to fear people showing off firearms.
Where’s the need to expand open carry? There already are allowances for hunting, target shooting and maintenance of firearms.
Rifles can be transported in carrying cases. A sweatshirt can conceal a holster. Is this too much to ask?
The term we use is “open carry,” but what it really amounts to is “quick draw.” This has no place in a civilized community.
David Blasco, Fort Lauderdale
Guns and mental health
I read that Charlie Kirk was murdered to silence his speech. Three months earlier, Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark were murdered to silence theirs.
In my opinion, violence will continue regardless of politically inspired acts pushed by conspiracy theorists, until the subject of mental health is fully examined and addressed.
In the 1980s, there was a systemic deinstitutionalization of psychiatric patients. Both political parties contributed to the closing of mental health institutions.
President Reagan made it national with deregulation and reductions in public spending, which contributed to a decline in public health services and, more importantly in my view, a public denial of the need for such services.
Now, introduce the ease with which guns can be acquired, and you have a pretty good idea why the number of violent acts have risen.
Jaclyn Mendez, Miramar
United States, remember?
Our divisive president, America’s greatest villain since Robert E. Lee led an insurrectionist army against his country, has ordered that a portrait of traitor Lee be re-hung at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y.
Coincidentally, I had just finished watching on PBS (a national treasure that Republicans have defunded) a detailed examination of the invasion of the north at Gettysburg by Lee’s Confederate army.
Every living American who’s descended from a man or woman who served in the Union Army during the Civil War (and every American war since) should be deeply offended by Trump’s action. It’s especially true for those who, or whose loved ones, gave life and limb to preserve a United States.
David Kahn, Boca Raton
DEI is better any day
In a recent letter, Neil Bluestein stated that “the opposite of DEI is meritocracy.”
If that’s so, give me DEI any day over the alleged merits of the likes of RFK Jr., Kash Patel, Kristi Noem, Pam Bondi, Howard Lutnick, Steve Witkoff and others to run our government and negotiate with dictators.
No merit can be found in their selections — only shameless, unconscionable fealty to Trump.
DEI is actually a merit system that allows competent, talented minorities a chance to compete for jobs, opportunities and awards previously denied them. Trump has destroyed both meritocracy as well as DEI.
Scott Benarde, West Palm Beach
Where was the outrage when Fox host Brian Kilmeade said, “Just kill ‘em” referring to mentally ill homeless people who refuse help?
How is this not offensive speech? It appears that only certain points of view are protected speech.
Trump has made a full-on assault against the media. He sued ABC, CBS, The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times, to name a few.
He has extorted payments from media outlets, universities and law firms to settle his grievances.
If this assault continues, the least of our troubles will be the late-night lineup.
Shari Somerstein, Plantation
Staying away
Three MAGAs on the Lauderdale-by-the-Sea Town Commission made the decision for their constituents, most of whom were against the renaming of Sea Grape Drive.
It’s typical of the cult not to listen to those they represent, but to seek the favor of a narcissist who couldn’t care less about any of them.
You won’t see me in LBTS!
Wanda Francis, Fort Lauderdale
A special case
Most people have no problem honoring presidents, but this is a special case. He’s a twice-impeached felon and known con man. He was under indictment for another 60 felony counts, and the only reason they weren’t executed was because he won the election.
Poor choice, LBTS.
Jim Bass, Deerfield Beach
He’s undeserving
President Trump does not deserve this honor.
Anne-Marie Bursevich, Highland Beach
Unnecessary
Whether you love him or hate him, adding DJT’s name on a street sign is so unnecessary.
This is how division starts. We don’t need it or want it.
David W. Miller, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea
A dump for Trump
How about renaming the local sewage treatment facilities for No. 47? Or perhaps the nearby county landfill? Dump Trump — how appropriate.
John Pfau, Plantation
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