Concealed carry permit should involve training

Please add these observations to the debate over whether the people should permit the government we instituted to disarm us when away from home (“Hawaii’s flawed ‘concealed carry’ law makes us easy victims,” Star-Advertiser, Island Voices, Dec. 22).

In an unarmed society, like Chicago’s, criminals capable of physical violence inflict crime on others without risk of harm from victims or bystanders, or police who arrive much later.

In an armed society, they risk having even a frail 80-year-old across the street, or a smaller person nearby, shoot or kill them.

It’s a fact: For a given reward, risk reduces the number who pursue it.

Texas stopped prohibiting concealed carry in 1995. Among its armed population (and with more than nine times Hawaii’s population) Texas had one multiple-killing in 1999 equal to Hawaii’s Xerox tragedy. None since.

Sadly, among the Fort Hood soldiers kept legally disarmed, 13 were killed in 2009.

Combat requires more, but for shooting in self-defense, one intensive week of training is sufficient. So require it, and allow concealed-carry.

George L. Berish

Kaakako

Even qualified veterans denied right to carry

From reading Felicity Yost’s letter, it seems obvious to us veterans that she has never put on the uniform and gone into harm’s way to defend our country (“Hawaii gun laws make sense,” Star-Advertiser, Letters, Dec. 25).

Hawaii’s gun laws prevent qualified people like myself and many other veterans from defending and protecting our family while outside the home.

Even though we are military-qualified, and have a legal concealed-carry firearms license issued from another state, we are prevented by Hawaii state law from carrying our state-registered firearms.

Deane Gonzalez

Hawaii Kai

Mehau seemed gruff but actually was kind

Being a teenager in a Kapahulu pool hall in the early ’50s was not the best way to meet Larry Mehau, who was in charge of the metro squad (“Well-connected rancher dies,” Star-Advertiser, Dec. 24).

He was tough on delinquents and a virtual nightmare to criminals and nefarious sorts.

When I was scheduled to meet Larry face-to-face 15 years later, my delinquent heart was pounding out of my chest. My anxiety disappeared once we met; he was intelligent, articulate and purposeful. Through the years I found Larry kind and generous to those in need. We lost someone God put on Earth to make things right.

James Lee

Hilo

New residents welcome, if they’re self-supporting

As far as the population growing, it is fine as long as those who live here contribute to the system and do not live off it (“Isles’ populace rises by 11,000,” Star-Advertiser, Dec. 23).

Lloyd Yamasaki

Wahiawa

Fixing Kailua fountain was amazingly cheap

It’s great news that Kailua’s entrance fountain is running again after years of being broken (“Landmark fountain in Kailua gets temporary fix from city,” Star-Advertiser, Dec. 11).

Mayor Kirk Caldwell said he wanted to save the taxpayers half a million dollars, so it was fixed for about $5,000.

Gee, I wonder why bids are always so high, when things can be “fixed”? Is it so we can employ our uncles, nephews, cousins and family? Or maybe the big donors are owed a contract?

Diann Lantow

Kailua