Randel letter: Concealed carry

Members of the Idaho Legislature, please know that I believe passing the concealed carry legislation that is currently under consideration by the Idaho Legislature without firearms training as a prerequisite to authorizing such carry is a very bad idea and I urge you to vote against the proposal.

I am a retired U.S. Marine Corps Colonel, who served primarily as an infantryman and an infantry officer. I have extensive weapons handling and carrying experience that includes combat in the Vietnam War and various security assignments, including command of a Marine Security Guard Detachment at a Naval Air Station and a Marine Security Guard (State Department) Company.

Based on my practical experience, training, and I believe simple good, common sense, the state of Idaho should not authorize anyone to carry a concealed weapon that lacks weapons handling training and experience. Moreover, that the state would sanction concealed carry without training encourages a casual mentality about the responsibilities and consequences of firearms use that virtually invites unpleasant and adverse consequences to the person carrying and completely innocent bystanders.

This story was originally published March 17, 2016 at 11:51 PM with the headline "Randel letter: Concealed carry."