Congratulations to the national retailers that will no longer welcome into their stores folks who openly brandish guns. Three of our local stores are affected by this decision and I welcome it.

Even in the “Old West,” towns had rules to check your guns and not to open carry. There were, and are, reasons for this.

Number one is fear.

Those choosing to open carry are seemingly afraid of the bad guys. However, in choosing to strap on, they instill apprehension, fear and intimidation into a great number of the good guys.

In the words of the Second Amendment, there is nothing “well regulated” about my neighbors strutting around with weapons for all to see.

There is an alternative for those truly afraid: concealed-carry permits.

Taking the extra step to qualify for a concealed gun permit gets us a little closer to the “well regulated” opening lines of the Second Amendment. It also means that you probably will not be carrying a cannon under your T-shirt.

It would be nice if this national corporate effort were taken up by local businesses as well. My grandkids don’t need to stand gun-belt-high to a holster while ordering an ice cream or a hamburger.

Additional kudos to Walmart for ending the sale of both handgun and military-style ammunition. Only true hunting ammo will now be sold.

Jim Skvorc

Cortez