My response to the author-- tried to keep it short in hopes that we can start a dialogue.
Hello,
my name is Shane Belanger and I am the founder of the Maine Open Carry Association. I would just like to bring a few simple facts to your attention that you may not have realized. I don't want this email to be too long. The whole reason that there are concealed carry laws on the books is because people would carry concealed weapons if they were going to commit crimes. This is also the reason that we don't see open carry laws in states, because when a person carries openly they are blatantly stating that they are not a criminal. If you use the logic that there "has never been a mass shooting in Maine". Then, likewise you must use the logic that an open carrier has never committed a crime involving any type of assault. Likewise, the rate of police brutality and "bad shooting" is on an extreme rise, although I am in no way anti law enforcement I realize that they are human. I find it disconcerting that you find it fine for a man with a badge perfectly fit, while you see your neighbor, your friend, your colleague as unfit.
Statistically the more firearms per household, the less crime there is. This is because what criminals fear most are not police officers, they fear armed citizens. Do your research, write an informed article from both perspectives.