Right to defend self subject of debate

To the editor:

The debate in the Legislature

right now is hot and heavy about the

right for a person to defend themselves

within their home. That

should not even be debated.

We are given naturally, the

instinct of protecting ourselves,

with the added power of the adrenaline

hormone that kicks in instantly

when threatened.

Over the years I have taught two

different ladies to become proficient

with handguns so they could

feel safe in their own ?castle.? This

is a choice everyone should have.

Before he was president, Herbert

Hoover, as mining engineer and his

wife were in China, during the

Boxer Rebellion. They took refuge

in the foreign legation with other

foreigners and the U.S. Marines.

They were vastly outnumbered and

Hoover, a Quaker and pacifist, was

issued, by the Marines a standard

shoulder weapon of the United

States armed forces. In his autobiography,

Hoover stated that he was

amazed of his change in attitude in

the situation when he was capable

of aiding in their defense against the

rebellion of their ?castle? at that

time.

Through the centuries the man of

the house or the men of the clan,

naturally, because of their superior

strength were the protectors. Now it

is the strongest weapon and the

police that arrive after the fact.

Even Jesus encouraged his disciples

to carry a sword as a concealed

weapon. See Luke 22 at the Last

Supper. Teddy Roosevelt said to

?Speak softly but carry a big stick.?

? Keith Shafer, Birmingham