As regards the front page story "Fetching a Firearm" in the Thursday, Sept. 19 issue, kudos to the new K-9 member of Peterborough's respected constabulary for finding a loaded handgun in the woods after a hiker fell off of a cliff in Miller State Park.

At the same time, I can't help but wonder what dastardly threat the hiker thought he might encounter out there in the woods of our beloved local state park. Roving bandits? A rampaging bear or rabid moose? Distemperate squirrels? There is no question that open-carrying a handgun is legal when the carrier is properly permitted under state law and federal law, the 2nd Amendment, etc., etc. Nonetheless, the co-subject of this article may do well to consider leaving the gun in the car or at home next time and paying more attention to the more-present dangers that accompany a hike in the woods, like the possibility of carelessly tumbling off a cliff.

James Finnegan

Dublin