I am writing to express my extreme displeasure with the governor’s executive action to ban the legal carry of firearms in facilities under the ownership, lease, or control of an executive branch agency. It boggles my mind that the restriction against carrying firearms applies to off duty police officers and Concealed Handgun Permit holders. Both of these groups are trained in the safe, proper use of firearms and passed criminal background checks. These people have actually been vetted. Police Officers have a duty to protect the public and statistics show that permit holders are far more likely to be law abiding than the general public. It defies common sense to ban the legal carry of firearms while doing nothing to prevent the illegal carrying of firearms. If someone is intent on committing an illegal act with a gun, a sign is not going to stop them. This policy accomplishes nothing but leaving those that follow the law defenseless.

I understand the need to do something about gun violence but this is a futile political act by the governor to give the appearance of doing something. I strongly object to this executive overreach and cannot convey how strongly I feel that this unilateral action by the governor should not only NOT be made permanent, but should be reversed immediately.