Imagine a brave new world. A world in which the National Rifle Association’s desire to see every person carrying a weapon to protect themselves wherever they go is fulfilled.

In this brave new world, thousands of people, all carrying loaded guns are at a mass gathering — a ball game; a grand opening; a concert; a Veterans Day parade.

All of a sudden, a half-dozen radical crazies of any persuasion pull out pistols and start shooting strangers at random. Almost instantly, hundreds, if not thousands of “innocent” gun holders break out their weapons. Anyone they now see with a gun in their hand becomes a threat and they start shooting … each other.

In any crowded situation, everyone is close together. At such close quarters, most of the shots will be fatal.

The result: Coroners from a half-dozen counties will spend a week cleaning up the mess. I also predict that the NRA will again call for more guns.

Peter P. Sirois

Madison