Unfair, draconian laws stand in the way of firearm possession

I want to applaud you for writing "Weapons Check" (City Weekly, June 1).

Knowing the draconian laws that Massachusetts residents have to contend with to lawfully possess a firearm, how it appears "elite" that some people are able to avoid many of these issues, and how the news media almost always treat such matters, I found the piece to be refreshingly candid.

I am fortunately a resident of Texas and so I do not have to contend with such things in my state.

But as a licensed law-enforcement officer for over 23 years and as the airline pilot who initiated the process that led to the arming of our airline pilots following 9/11 (Federal Flight Deck Officer program), I have some experience with the issues you raised.

I find it unconscionable that so many people allow ignorance and fear to control their perceptions and beliefs about law-abiding civilians carrying a firearm.

Imposition of their misperceptions and fears onto others through burdensome laws, regulations, and bureaucratically imposed restrictions in order to thwart good people from being able to protect themselves and their families is nearly unbelievable to me, yet it happens all over our nation.

Again, thank you for your very well-written piece illustrating the inequities imposed on some versus others.

Phillip Beall
Honey Grove, Texas