Letters to the Editor: Amber Guyger’s ‘mistake’ was made possible only by her gun

To the editor: I was living elsewhere many years ago when a neighbor’s drunken guest walked in on me thinking it was his apartment. I had fallen asleep watching TV and, when awakened by my surly and glassy-eyed intruder, I immediately grabbed a T-square to defend myself. (“Finally, a deadly police shooting is found to be beyond the pale,” editorial, Oct. 2)

He was completely unarmed, and it all worked out just fine.

What if, however, it had been an “open carry” state and I had been shot dead by a sober civilian making the same “mistake” as Dallas officer Amber Guyger? What if that person had been deluded by the belief that true safety will come when we’re all walking around armed and itching for the opportunity to defend ourselves?

I would like to think that my killer’s verdict and sentence would be as just and no different than Guyger’s. Of course, I would still be dead.

Ronald Webster, Long Beach

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To the editor: Guyger’s actions had nothing to do with her profession at the time. She was employed by the Dallas Police Department when she killed Botham Jean in his own apartment, but she was off-duty and not acting as an officer.

Saying that an “officer” was held accountable for the killing is disingenuous. When a banker goes home after their work day, is that person acting as a banker when he or she enters that home? Why is this any different?

Unfortunately, there is a bias against law enforcement that is encouraged by sensationalist headlines.

Jim Drabos, La Mirada

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To the editor: Too bad for Guyger she couldn’t get her trial moved to Simi Valley.

Douglas Domingo-Forasté, Long Beach