Allen County commissioners will decide soon what to do about concealed carry of firearms in the courthouse, along with Iola and other cities’ governing bodies. HAVING SAID all this, from another perspective it is logical to have restraints on firearms that are enforceable and would make a difference.
An option is a plan outlining how they intend to prevent firearms in public buildings, which will hold in abeyance any concrete action for four years. The alternatives are take down no-gun signs or install metal detectors and hire security guards to man them. No specific requirements are in place for a plan and once developed, County Counselor Alan Weber told commissioners Tuesday, it may remain tucked away in secret.
Maybe the better approach is to take down the signs and go on down the road.
A plan putting off action would be a paper tiger. It would have next to no effect on preventing firearms being carried into public places, much as the gun-slash signs have been. If someone wants to walk into the courthouse carrying a firearm under cover, it’s going to happen.
Meanwhile, with restrictions on obtaining a concealed carry permit, there’s little reason to fear any repercussions if building are opened.
Before a person may pursue a concealed carry permit a background check is done by law enforcement officers, including determining whether the applicant ever has been convicted of a felony or has had any conviction of lesser crimes within the past five years. Applications also are kicked out if there is a criminal charge pending or any domestic problems have occurred.
Once those determinations are made, eight hours of training, including safety issues, are required by an instructor who has been extensively schooled in the process.
Those who obtain permits then may carry firearms. Reality is that most, probably 90 percent or more, seldom, if ever, do. Outcome is more in having the permit than exercising its privileges.
And those who do are not likely to cause problems. They did, after all, follow extensive and expensive procedures to obtain a permit in a lawful way.
Ultimately, signs and plans, even metal detectors and security personnel, are not likely to deter a person intent on breaking the law.
Having available for general consumption rapid-fire assault weapons fed by clips containing a bucketful of rounds without very stringent controls shouldn’t be permitted.
Coincidentally, background checks and other controls shouldn’t distress anyone with nothing to hide.
In today’s environment it is far too easy for someone meaning to do evil to obtain the means.
Every state requires licensing for operation of motor vehicles. Something similar shouldn’t be too much to ask for gun ownership.
— Bob Johnson
Let concealed carry law work
