To the editor:

The controversy regarding arming ISU police misses the main issue. The main issue is whether we have the moral right to require others to assume the ultimate responsibility for our safety when we fail to allow them the minimal adequate means to ensure their own. In the event of a tragedy, are we setting them up to be heroes or to be sacrificial goats?

The Ames Tribune editorial of March 20 asked: “Since when does carrying a loaded gun among students and young people become a public service?” The answer is “every single time” when it is carried by a trained and dedicated police officer.

Our citizens and children are never safer than when they are within sight of a trained, dedicated,and armed police officer.

The controversy hinges on the belief that guns are too prevalent in our society. Handguns are too readily available, but this causes me to want more armed officers, not fewer.

Armed ISU police are not a threat to students. Arming trained officers will increase the safety of students.

Armed Ames police officers did not harm Kenny Pratt with their handguns when he was kicking one of them in the mouth. No one has been shot by armed Ames, Story County or Iowa State Patrol officers during our frequent snowball fights, riots and other civil disruptions.

Ames Police did not fire their guns during the Ames Motor Lodge standoff that involved numerous shots fired from within. Trained and armed police officers can and have endured many threats and assaults without resorting to the use of deadly force in life-threatening situations.

But when 6-year-old children get and use handguns with fatal results, how can we ask anyone to protect anyone else without the means to protect themselves?

In my opinion, we can’t.

Jim Torrie

Resident

Ames