Letters to the Editor

Readers write: Letters to the editor, June 23, 2017

Make sure toy guns aren't mistaken for real thing

We all need to be aware of what our kids are doing.

Today a young man pointed what looked like an M4 (a short M16) at me as I drove past. When I got out to confront him, even from 4 feet away the gun looked real, complete with Magpul grips, a fore grip and an inserted magazine. Again, he mimed shooting me. The ONLY indication that the firearm wasn't real was the ease with which he moved it one-handed. As civilians I know many of you don't realize exactly how dangerous this is. Many military veterans had kids overseas point REAL guns at them, and fire. Most military veterans carry guns with them at all times. Had I been more jumpy, had I not had a clear head, this situation could have ended very badly.

If your child is playing outside, please make sure their toy guns cannot be mistaken for real firearms. It is YOUR responsibility as a parent to know what your child is doing and what they are playing with. You are ultimately responsible for their safety. Please don't let your child be the next one killed over something as stupid as an orange tip on a fake gun.

— Pat Cass
USMC Veteran
Fairbanks

Thanks for the great safety training

Thanks to St. Anthony's Local Organizing Ministry, a member of AFACT, for hosting a quality public training on home and personal safety this past Thursday. After hearing a wide range of safety concerns from their parish and their neighbors in the Russian Jack community, members of St. Anthony's decided to invite officer Natasha Welch from the Anchorage Police Department to hold a training on personal safety. Officer Welch was informative, entertaining and offered some practical tips for keeping safe in our homes and neighborhoods.
Thank you, St. Anthony's Local Organizing ministry, for showing us what it looks like to put our faith into action!

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— Justin Eppler
Anchorage

The views expressed here are the writers' own and are not necessarily endorsed by Alaska Dispatch News, which welcomes a broad range of viewpoints. To submit a letter under 200 words for consideration, email letters@alaskadispatch.com, or click here to submit via any web browser. Submitting a letter to the editor constitutes granting permission for it to be edited for clarity, accuracy and brevity. Send longer works of opinion to commentary@alaskadispatch.com.

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