I have a prediction regarding media-fanned fears of increased firearms deaths or injuries arising from the U.S. Supreme Court's upholding of the Second Amendment as an individual right.

It won't happen.

The people who make or believe these doomsday predictions ignore history and common sense.

From a historical perspective, look to North Carolina's passage of its concealed carry law in 1995. We heard the same hand-wringing predictions of carnage from more accidents and gunfights in the streets over fender-benders.

It hasn't happened here, and it hasn't happened in the other 37 states that permit concealed carry.

From a common sense perspective, I cannot understand how an intelligent, objective person could believe denying firearms to citizens who obey our laws will reduce crime rates among those who do not. I can only attribute that way of thinking to fear and misunderstanding.

If the mainstream media covered alcohol consumption and stock market investing as they do firearms purchase and use, you would be led to believe drinking beer will cause disease, death or injury and buying mutual fund shares will put you at bankruptcy's door by year's end.

Beware politicians and pundits who use fear to advance an agenda: Either they are ignorant of fact or hope you are.

G.E. Stevenson

Apex

Get $150+ in coupons in every Sunday N&O. Click here for convenient home delivery.