Well, the gun-haters have scored another one for chaos. The Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee has just all but guaranteed that if there is a “crazy” out and about in Maine, he/she can pull a “Newtown” or “Columbine” with probable safety.

The Newtown shooting took about five minutes total time. I have more than 30 years of law enforcement experience, nearly all of it in uniform and on patrol. I worked for the San Francisco Police Department and the average response time for a call was four and one-half minutes. In more rural Maine, a response time in excess of five minutes is likely.

Teachers can be trained in firearm safety and thereby protect the children from the “Newtown” syndrome.

Please, don’t let it happen here.

Walter A. Van Dehey, Waterford