Vestal set in concrete

Some people carry guns, some wield the pen. There is no doubt about which is the more powerful tool. In a July 22 letter, Steven Stuart of the Lightfoot Militia sounds upset with Shawn Vestal. As Stuart offered an opportunity to attend a meeting, I offered Vestal an opportunity to attend training classes in the judicious use of force, which includes use of deadly force and firearms.

As one who has trained many thousands of citizens and police officers for close to 30 years, as well as a recognized expert witness on this subject, I assumed that a writer would wish to learn more about a subject of which he often postulates.

Vestal’s answer? “There is nothing you could teach me in your class that would change the way I think about guns.” With that attitude, he is absolutely correct.

Some people’s minds are like concrete, all mixed up and fixed and set. Vestal can voice his opinion no matter how ill-informed, like everyone else. Unfortunately, his sense of responsibility does not match the power that he wields. In my humble opinion, of course.

Robert Smith

Coeur d’Alene