Date: Thu, 12 Dec 1996 02:04:26 -0500
From: [R L BUSAALL] at [aol.com]
Cc: robert-springfield-mo <[r l busaall] at [aol.com]>
Subject: RE: about time for a pro-2nd editorial

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, a refreshing wind of intelligence has overcome
the blind and ignorant goose-step of the Olathe print media to political
correctness.

Heavens, if this keeps up in the Wheat State, a wave a patriotism may
show in the state deliberating body herein known as the legislature.  Can
you imagine that?  Sometimes though, freedom is a state of mind.  Be
ever vigilant and maybe, just maybe, we will be able to bring this nation
back from the precipice of ignominious defeat and statist collectivism.
======================================================

THE OLATHE DAILY NEWS---OLATHE, KANSAS 66061
EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT: TIMOTHY P. O'DONNELL - PUBLISHER
                             SCOTT SMITH                - MANAGER
                             CHUCK KURTZ                - MANAGING EDITOR
                             GERALD HAY         - NEWS EDITOR

DECEMBER 5, 1996 EDITORIAL

PACKIN' HEAT

CURRENT INFORMATION SUPPORTS THE BELIEF
THAT CONCEALED GUN LAWS REDUCE VIOLENT CRIME

To allow citizens to cary a concealed gun or not to allow them to
carry a concealed gun?  That is the question expected to be taken up by
the Kansas Legislature in its next session, whch narrowly defeated a
concealed gun bill last session.

This past week, The Olathe Daily News has presented both sides of
the concealed gun ussue in a series of stories .  Follow up stories will be
published as warranted, especially when the issue is debated in the
Kansas Legislature.  This is an issue that will affect everyone in the
way we look at each other, and in the way we might possibly defend
ourselves or others in certain situations.

The united States Constitution guarantees American citizens the
right to own a gun.  In Kansas, it is legal to openly carry a gun or rifle.
So why are so many people concerned if the state allows people to
carry handguns in their pockets rather than on their hips?


Opponents argue society needs less rather than more guns in public.
In a perfect society, there would be no guns available for criminals to
use against law abiding citizens.  Law enforcement officers and agencies
differ in their opinions whether a concealed gun law would be a
deterrent or lead to an increase in crime and accidental deaths.

But society is not perfect.  Far from it.  In the  United States criminals
are going to get and use guns on decent citizens whether it's legal to
carry guns openly or inside a purse or pocket.  Thirty-one states across
the country have already passed concealed gun laws.  The only study
done on the issue is one that came out of the University of Chicago.  It
indicates that violent crime decreases in states where concealed guns
are allowed.  There were no dramatic increases in accidental deaths.

Criminals, instead of confronting people, turned to other forms of
crime:  burglarizing homes, stealing cars, etc.

When states have concealed gun laws, the playing field between law
abiding citizens and criminals becomes even.  And criminals appear to
not like the odds of facing someone who might be armed.

Representative Kay O'Connor might have said it best during The
Daily News' series when she said, "If I have a guy with a gun in my
back, I don't have the time to dial 911.  He may not know I have a
concealed weapon, and it may still only be a 50/50 chance, but give me
the 50/50."

The issue needs to be discussed thoroughly by our representatives.
But we think, based on current data there can be only one conclusion:
A concealed gun law in Kansas  would be in the best interest of the
state's law abiding citizens.  And if passed in the legislature, we urge
Gov. Bill Graves to sign the bill into law.