Letters - Wednesday

   GUNS ON CAMPUS
Criminals won't obey rules that disarm targets

   I want to thank The Gazette for its editorial advocating concealed carry on campus ("UCCS students want their guns," Our View, April 13).

   I'm a graduate student instructor at CU Boulder. Since 2001 I've been licensed to carry a concealed firearm in Colorado. Every time I hear of a new school shooting, I worry that some psychopath might unleash his rage on my campus. University policy forbids any firearms on campus. I obey that policy but it won't stop a killer from waltzing onto campus armed to the teeth. So if my students and I were in his path, we could only cower in fear in a corner of the classroom, helplessly waiting for him to kill us.

   If the university respected my concealed carry permit, my good aim could protect my students from such an unthinkable end. Since I'm a law-abiding citizen trained in the proper use of firearms, my gun poses no danger whatsoever to other peaceful people.

   CU's anti-gun policy is wrong. It ought to be changed, not just in Colorado Springs, but in Boulder, too.

   I applaud the efforts of the UCCS chapter of Concealed Carry on Campus.

   Such efforts are just starting at Boulder, too. Students and parents wanting to advocate concealed carry at CU Boulder should contact Jim Manley at james.m.manley@colorado.edu.

Diana Hsieh, Sedalia

Gazette's suggestion too full of holes to work

   Excellent suggestion in the April 13 Our View. If only more young men were walking around with loaded pistols, we would all feel so much safer.

   Luckily, The Gazette's plan will easily be put into effect, because any number of young males will doubtless jump at the chance to do their civic duty by packing heat on campus. The practice of carrying could even become trendy, and before long, the good guys should well outnumber the bad guys. Professors are bound to feel more secure knowing there are concealed weapons in class, and just think how comforting it will be to many parents to know there are plenty of guns in every dorm.

   There are, however, two or three minor wrinkles.

   In the event of a real terrorist incident, what with the confusion resulting from various responders shooting at each other, how will the cops identify the bad guy? (Doesn't such a scenario belong in a Keystone Kops comedy?)

   We might also want to take a look at the presence of guns at your average campus binge-drinking party. Wouldn't there be a teeny bit of danger that, under such (wildly uncontrollable) circumstances, firearm safety protocols could be ever so slightly relaxed?

   But these are trifles. "Guns on campus and safety first" - those are the watchwords. Great idea, Gazette; get cracking on it.

Robert L. Pratt, Colorado Springs

Open carry more effective in deterring possible attacks

   Saturday's Metro section contained the story, "Students want OK to bring guns," saying that a few UCCS students who have concealed-carry gun permits want to be allowed to carry their guns on campus. This is an absolutely wrong move. Students who are legally allowed to carry guns should carry them openly, so anyone can see they are armed, whether they are on campus or off.

   If they want to be honest about their rights and responsibilities, they should be open about their means of carrying them out. Police and security guards carry weapons openly, why shouldn't the students (and the staff, also)?

Chuck Robinove, Monument

   DOWNTOWN PARKING
Cashless meters no help for infrequent shoppers

   In response to the article in Sunday's Gazette, "Cashless parking options expanding," let me express the frustrations I face with this supposedly progressive development.

   Last week I ventured downtown. Parking there is always a frustrating challenge, but these new meters make it even more so. First, I have no card and did not know where to purchase one. According to the article, I would have to pay $10 minimum to get one. That's not a good option for those who only go there a few times a year.

   Second, when I finally found a space, it was a meter with a 30-minute limit. Since it was near the restaurant where we were having lunch, I took the space, but needed to run out to feed the meter again before we finished eating.

   Why doesn't the city do something to make downtown friendlier? As it is, I will avoid going there, even though I like some of the shops.

David Zehr, Colorado Springs

IN RESPONSE

Colorado Springs can be proud to be home of Olympic dreams

   The historic decision made by the United States Olympic Committee to commit its future to Colorado Springs is gratifying for virtually every segment of our city, and a rich gift for the quality of life in our community ("Deal was months in the making," The Gazette, April 13).

   It is a watershed for our city and the Pikes Peak region, because the mission, ideals and dreams of the USOC mesh perfectly with so many of those shared by our vibrant, positive and value-driven community and state.

   Kudos to Mayor Lionel Rivera, the City Council and the city's professional staff for their leadership and support in this endeavor. Their proactive efforts will benefit the city in terms of national and international image, as well as hundreds of millions of dollars in vital economic impact on an annual basis.

   The USOC makes dreams come true and opportunities for America's athletes - elite, aspiring, struggling and those with disabilities - to become leaders and contributors.

   Our Olympic and Paralympic teams are a tapestry of our nation, its citizens, history and its heritage.

   Now, Colorado Springs can take justifiable pride and a sense of partnership and involvement in the lives of the thousands of young men and women who will go forth in search of their dreams in Olympic Games and events across the globe for decades.

   We have embraced the USOC and have been enriched by its presence in our city since 1978, some three decades of inspiration and achievement.

   The 20 young men who brought the nation the Miracle On Ice at Lake Placid in 1980 were chosen and trained here. The great Bob Mathias was the first Olympic Training Center director in our city. Jesse Owens and Wilma Rudolph visited the complex and were inspired by the view of Pikes Peak and the athletes who struggled for their goals.

   Olympic champions such as Amy Van Dyken, Bonnie Blair, Edwin Moses, Mary Lou Retton, Rulon Gardner, Mike Eruzione, Jim Craig, Greg Louganis and scores of others awakened on some early morning in Colorado Springs to begin their day with breakfast at the OTC before they began their training regimen.

   Colorado Springs is the place where Olympic and Paralympic dreams begin for young men and women of courage, conviction, character and selfless determination. The USOC is the foundation and support system for every one of them.

   So it is ours now as well, and our residents, the sports and business community, our youth and those who will call Colorado Springs home in the years to come can share the pride and honor of being home to this treasure.

Dave Palenchar, Chairman
Tom Osborne, President & CEO and the board of directors of The Colorado Springs Sports Corporation