"I Said It My Way"--Do we live in a dangerous world?

(decorahnews.com's Paul Scott today wraps up a week-long series of "I Said It My Way" comments):

Two members of the Iowa legislature--Brad Zaun and Joni Ernst--have said they carry guns with them onto the floor of the Capitol.

It's possible that the two legislators--who are both running for Congress--have made this announcement because of the political appeal of gun rights.

This is not a comment about gun rights or gun control.  To be honest, I'm not interested in your opinion about this topic--and I know for sure you're not interested in mine!

The question I think is more interesting is whether the two legislators are carrying guns to meetings of the Iowa State Senate because they think these meetings are dangerous.  I have started thinking about this question after hearing news that the state legislature in Georgia has approved legislation to allow residents to carry guns into churches.

I can't imagine any circumstance in which I would be bowed in prayer and suddenly think, "You know, I'd feel better if I were carrying a gun right now." 

It's my job as someone who tries to get at the truth to tell you that the rate of violence in our country has fallen in recent years.  People who study this issue say the trend is due to the "greying" of America--apparently retired people commit fewer crimes than 20-somethings do.

But I realize we are not dealing with statistics here.  We are dealing with people's perceptions--and I think that's a far more fascinating subject.

So here's a question for you--especially if you carry a gun--"Do you think you live in a dangerous world?"

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