George,

I agree with David Bowerman that publicly announcing whether or not you carry a concealed weapon puts you at risk, and that defining public figures within the context of self-defense is dangerous. I choose not to answer the question, though it is certainly your right to pursue it.

In terms of public buildings, my first objective would be for the safety of the people inside. If someone in City Hall worked late and felt as if he or she might be safer leaving the building with a concealed weapon, I would be open to the discussion. With a murder at the nearby coal tower, and other gunpoint assaults in the area in the past, my trust would tend to be with the employee, to view him or her as worried about crime rather than intending to commit one. Of course the viewpoints of all the other employees would also be taken into consideration.

For me, practical considerations and specific circumstances take precedence. Is someone being threatened? Is there an unsolved crime? I would consult the police on any gun issue.

Alexandria Searls (electronic mail, February 8, 2002)