Don’t fear open carriers

Here’s the thing. I open carry. According to Bob Salsbury (“Wary of open carry,” April 8), I’m unlikely to be a normal person. I probably wake up, don my rugged outerwear and put on my best scowl before setting out to scare all of the children.

I’m an attorney. Sometimes I put on a suit. But mostly it’s jeans and a button-down shirt. I walk downtown to work in the mornings and back home in the evenings. Sometimes I smile at my fellow pedestrians, depending on whether I’ve had my coffee yet.

When I strap on my favorite inanimate object every morning, I simply feel prepared to defend, if necessary, what is most precious in this world – my life, your life and your daughter’s life.

The beauty of this country is that it’s really big and diverse. Perhaps you’d be better off in Seattle or Portland. Maybe California or Chicago is your cup of tea.

But if you stick around, please don’t fret. Perhaps you’ll see me some day at the store. You don’t need to hide your kids. There’s nothing wrong with a bit of caution, but I’m not the bogeyman.

Chris Hogue

Spokane