Following the Atlanta school shooting on Jan. 31, where a student opened fire at Price Middle School, shooting a 14-year-old in the neck before armed officer at the school stopped the shooter, Patch asked readers Do you believe Obama’s gun proposal will help prevent school shootings? 

Patch received more than 10 comments; here are some of the responses, which have been edited for length, grammar and clarity. 

“Hard to say guns are the issue, seems who is in possession of the gun is the issue,” Patch reader b garrett wrote. 

Some readers say a strong defense is vital to stopping shooting sprees. 

“If all civilians were licensed to carry guns, it would make for a very polite society,” Patch reader Harry Gio wrote. “These ‘shooting spree’ mental cases would be taken down in a rain of bullets by civilians BEFORE doing more damage.” 

“I believe a strong defense is essential to stop crime and an armed citizen is not an easy target for criminals. A 70-year-old Girls Basketball Coach proved that just yesterday. He is a CCW License holder and he shot two armed Robbers that tried to Rob him and two female students. Concealed carry works, get on board and you may just save your families lives, Patch reader Dan Cox wrote.   Last December, a federal appellate court overturned Illinois’ law banning the carrying of firearms in public, lawmakers were given six months to find a way that allows people to legally carry guns, Chicago Tribune reported.  

Patch reader Procrustes' Foil says concealed carry may not work in all communities.  

“Concealed Carry works in communities that are small, crime free to begin with (or with a very low crime rate), and nearly all white,” Procrustes' Foil wrote.