This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
The response by Rep. Curt Oda, R-Clearfield, to a letter from Ellen Brady supporting the governor's veto of the bill that would have allowed people to carry a concealed weapon without a permit was beyond civil discourse. Oda's comments, reported in Paul Rolly's column "Gun logic" (Tribune, March 27), were typical of a schoolyard bully. His attitude was outside the boundaries of where a reasonable person should reside.
Our democracy (excuse me, our republic) allows for the exchange of ideas and opinions, but they should be done without rancor and childish rhetoric. For a person in a position of trust and responsibility to resort to such tactics is reprehensible.
There may be some anger issues here, and such issues may be exacerbated by the privilege of carrying a weapon.
Robert Hunter
Holladay