If the mother and her two daughters who were accosted recently by a parolee in the foothills above Ogden had been able to pull out a gun instead of a cell phone, Utah taxpayers may have been spared the cost of a lengthy trial and having to support this thug in relative comfort for the rest of his life.

Not only are these horrible crimes being committed, most women are forced to experience terror, to live under guarded conditions, afraid to go out alone at night, risk being kidnapped in broad daylight and even being afraid in their own homes. This is the ultimate violation of civil rights.

Because the police, courts, prisons and parole boards are unable to protect citizens adequately, I believe it is about time the liberal media (including the one you are now reading) and the Hollywood types - probably protected by armed bodyguards - change their slant on the ownership and use of guns by qualified citizens, especially women.

If 10 percent of the women who are accosted protected themselves with a gun, the crime rate against women would drop dramatically.

And if women are more reluctant to kill someone, they could aim a little lower - the final result might be the same.

Donald L. Myrup

American Fork