Red Cross needs funds to give aid
Those who follow the local media are aware the recent cold weather and related house fires are rapidly exhausting our local Red Cross disaster assistance funds. Many may not know that it is trained and compassionate volunteers who respond to these fires and other disasters, both locally and in our eight surrounding counties.
Calls for aid are answered 24 hours, 365 days, many responders using their personal vehicles. Each short-term immediate assistance response, paired with referrals to other agencies for extended help, is geared to the personal needs of those impacted.
Our Chattanooga Area Chapter has only a small, full-time office staff. By significantly reducing office overhead, our volunteer responders add considerable value and coverage to funds donated by the community. Public support during this trying period encourages the volunteer workforce and assures shelter and comfort to those impacted.
If you can send us a donation, with our and our clients’ deep appreciation, we’ll pass it on to the needy. Direct it to Chattanooga Red Cross, 801 McCallie Ave., 37403. As in the past, with the continuing financial support of the community, your Red Cross will always be on the scene when needed.
DAVID B. KAPLAN
Volunteer
Disaster Responder
Chattanooga Area
American Red Cross
Show your facts on gun crimes
Regarding the editorial (Jan. 15) about the new gun laws proposed in Georgia and the problems it would cause: I could go on about every point and why it makes no sense, but I will focus on just one.
The author states that “Many of those criminal incidents are perpetrated by licensed gun owners.” Really? Please cite your source. Many of those guns might have been legally purchased and licensed guns, but I’m willing to bet any amount of money those people were not licensed to carry a concealed weapon. True statistics have shown that when more citizens are licensed to carry concealed weapons, violent crime goes down significantly. I will actually give you a couple of verifiable examples.
“In 1987, when Florida enacted such legislation, critics warned that the ‘Sunshine State’ would become the ‘Gunshine State.’ Contrary to their predictions, homicide rates dropped faster than the national average. Further, through 1997, only one permit holder out of the over 350,000 permits issued, was convicted of homicide.” (Source: Kleck, Gary Targeting Guns: Firearms and Their Control)(Guncite.com)
How’s that for facts? Why don’t you show yours? There are many more I could have given.
SCOTT LANFORD