It doesn't happen very often, but every now and again I will agree with a Republican proposal.

State Sen. Don Thomas, R-Dalton, was quoted as saying that recent events, "...make us

think about allowing guns in churches...."

I can certainly see that and there are other cases that our sound-bite media didn't point out.

What about the courthouse shooting several years ago?

Brian Nichols, who escaped, over-powered a female deputy and then fatally shot four people.

After years of wrangling, Brian Nichols has a life sentence after the state spent who knows how much money on that one trial.

Imagine how the Brian Nichols case would have been different had everyone at the courthouse had been packing?

No need to worry about years of delay or even expensive teams for the prosecution and defense. For that matter, some of those four people could be alive today.

Think of all the places other than churches where we need more protection. Courtrooms, which after all, have actual criminals, accused criminals and yet- to-be charged criminals.

Judging from recent scandals, the state legislature has no shortage of criminals.

Sen. Thomas should amend his bill to mandate that everyone entering a courtroom or the legislature should have a loaded firearm before being admitted.

We already have metal detectors to make sure citizens are equipped to do their civic duty in the event of trouble.

Anyone who does not have a gun, should be given a loaded gun before they enter a courthouse or the state legislature.

Imagine how much safer judges, lawyers, members of the legislature will feel knowing they are surrounded by citizens ready and able to discharge their civic duty in the event of an emergency.

Covington resident Patrick Durusau's column appears Fridays.