To The Editor:

 I just finished reading the letter written by Mr Carpenter [“The Holster on my Hip,” Letter Hive, 8/23/13] and found it disturbing. Mr Carpenter states that he is a licensed and responsible gun owner and legally he has every right to carry his gun. I imagine that his choice to carry his gun is making some people extremely uncomfortable and upset.

 Surely there must be more to Mr Carpenter than a gun owner. I imagine he's also a man who has a family he loves, friends he enjoys spending time with, perhaps even a God he believes in.

 Mr Carpenter says that he has decided to be more vocal about his beliefs and that is something that we have in common, however he also states that “I am the same man I was before,” while I, on the other hand, have been affected by this tragedy in ways that I never could have imagined.

We all have the power within us to add to the pain and suffering of the world and also the ability to bring comfort.

I wonder why someone would intentionally choose to act in a manner that adds to that negativity rather than to use their actions to bring compassion and consideration to others. Sometimes, just because you can do something doesn't always mean you should.

Respectfully,

Sheila Cole

9 Scenic View Drive, Newtown                        August 26, 2013