The following letter was published in the January 19, 2005 edition of The Trenton Times.

The Camden, rapist who indulged in his crime by daylight and at knifepoint over a three-month period, is no more. Why? Because he assaulted the wife of a legal gun owner while in their place of business. The gun owner was present and armed. He shot and killed the perpetrator. Tragic? I don’t think so.

The police said that the husband was not charged with a crime because he used deadly force to protect his wife's life, rather than his property. Apparently that needed to be mentioned so as to clarify that the store owner’s use of his weapon was not only effective, but legal.

Consider the effect on Camden's law-enforcement woes if the words of Article 1, Section 1, of the New Jersey State Constitution were respected and upheld. It says: "All persons....have certain natural and unalienable rights, among which are those of enjoying life and liberty, of acquiring, possessing, and protecting property…."

Let the people protect themselves as is their right and obligation. The government must stop assaulting them with more failed, politically motivated gun-control laws. Thirty-eight other states have benefited from “Shall-issue” gun-carry permit systems. Why not New Jersey?

Lawrence J. Braico

North Bergen, New Jersey

Regional Vice President

The Association of New Jersey Rifle & Pistol Clubs, Inc

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