Americans are still in shock from the deadly attack Sunday on a church in Sutherland Springs, Texas.
At least 26 were killed and at least 20 more wounded. The gunman killed himself later, but not before being confronted and shot by a legally-armed citizen.
Understandably, this kind of tragedy chills many to the bone. And makes them fear for the safety of themselves and their families.
Many feel the best way to guard against such attacks is for citizens who have concealed carry permits to carry them at churches and other gathering places. But some churches resist allowing concealed carry.
We want to know what you think. Would you feel safer if your church welcomed legal firearm owners to concealed carry during services and other gatherings? Or are you opposed to firearms in church?
Send your response (50 words maximum) to [email protected] by Wednesday, Nov. 15. You can also mail your response to the Texarkana Gazette Friday Poll, at P.O. Box 621, Texarkana, TX 75504 or drop it off at our office, 101 E. Broad St., Texarkana, Ark. Be sure to include your name, address and phone number. We will print as many responses as we can in next Friday's paper.
Last Week: Capital Option
Last week's question was about whether prosecutors should be more aggressive in pursuing death sentences in cases where that could be an option. Should prosecutors ask for the death penalty more often? Or should the option continue to be rarely used?
The death penalty should continue to be a rarely used option. With the option of a sentence of life in prison without parole, prosecutors can look critically at the significant burdens the death penalty puts on a county and on the families affected by capital murder.-V.A., Wimberley, Texas
Yes.-W.A., New Boston, Texas
Yes they should keep the death penalty law. I believe this law has always been the last choice, depending on the evidence.-B.J., Texarkana, Texas
Prosecutors should push for the death penalty for cold-blooded killers.-D.M., Texarkana, texas
From www.facebook.com/texarkanagazette
- Yes. The only problem I see with the death penalty is the implementation of it. It shouldn't take 10-20 years for them to be executed. It's not fair to the families of the victim.
- Yes. And I also believe it shouldn't take 30 years to carry out the sentence. If they are found guilty beyond a doubt, especially with DNA, take them straight to the table and give them the injection. Maybe if we had that kind of system, it would make someone think twice before committing this kind of crime, and even if it didn't, it sure would ease up taxpayers' money from having to care for them for so long.
- I am completely for the death penalty and also agree it shouldn't take so long to carry it out. However I don't believe that it deters anyone from killing. Most of those that kill are mentally unstable or have some sort of mental issue and could care less about their punishment.
- Yes, absolutely! Criminals may think twice before committing crime if they may face the death penalty.
- Until the rate of those wrongfully convicted by a flawed justice system drops dramatically, the death penalty should be approached with extreme caution. Texas spends more on death penalty than they do on education. They are number one at doing so. Therein lies part of the problem. It also takes a ridiculous amount of time and resources to carry out the death penalty. I am not speaking to this particular case, but in "general." If we are going to utilize the death penalty, the whole system needs to be revamped.
- Yes and it shouldn't take more than a year to follow through with the justice!
- Death all the way!! And should happen that same day period!
- Yes but don't take so long. One week is long enough.
- Should be abolished.
- It's not used nearly enough!!