Autolycus
Member
Taking aim at concealed-carry signs
Kansas' new concealed-carry law is coming soon -- and some people fear that Wild West shoot-outs aren't far behind.
But based on the rollout so far, I think what we should really fear is an ugly outbreak of new signs and regulations.
That seems to be the immediate practical effect of concealed carry, which was passed by the Legislature earlier this year at the urging of our own state Sen. Phil Journey, R-NRA.
So far, more than 2,000 Kansans have applied for permits that allow them to carry heat in public and use deadly force if they feel threatened.
Under the law, some places are off-limits to guns (including churches, schools, bars) but all other businesses and residences will be assumed to be free-fire zones -- unless they post "no gun" signs at the door or some other conspicuous place.
The Kansas attorney general's office recently held hearings on what the new signs should look like. And there's trouble in Dodge.
An early sign prototype developed by the office's staff features a picture of a handgun against a bright yellow background with the words, "Concealed Carry of Handguns Prohibited on Premises."
Some businesses objected to the garish color. It's ugly. Nothing like a yellow gun sign to class up a joint and put customers at ease.
Another proposed sign is even more basic, with no words -- just a picture of a gun with a red circle and bar slash.
I have an idea. Why not turn this around?
I would guess -- sorry, Sen. Journey -- that most business owners would prefer not to have customers and employees packing heaters. Instead of requiring the majority of businesses to post their opposition to firearms, why not have businesses that want armed confrontations display signs saying, essentially, "Guns Welcome Here!"
Here's one sign idea: Pro-carry establishments can display a picture of gun-blazing cartoon character Yosemite Sam. Most people would instantly recognize him as a universal symbol of firearm friendliness.
Yosemite Sam in the window? Bring it on.
Or maybe the sign could be a bit edgier: "Go Ahead -- Make My Day."
Another idea: "No Shirt, No Shoes, No Smith & Wesson, No Service."
For directness, it's hard to beat this: "Don't Forget to Duck!"
I think my idea is worth considering. It might save a lot of time and expense.
But here's another little detail that worries me about concealed carry: Most people are lousy shots.
Granted, concealed-carry applicants have to complete eight hours of firearms instruction and be able to hit a target 18 out of 25 times on a shooting range.
I'm still not reassured.
You have only to look at recent police shootings to understand my concern.
In one memorable incident in Old Town earlier this year, police fired some 18 shots at a suspect. He wasn't hit once.
Then last month, officers blazed away at a suspect who was a few yards away. They fired a volley of shots and finally managed to hit him once.
Luckily, no bystanders were hit.
Mind you, these are trained law enforcement personnel. How would the average Joe Six-gun fare? I don't want to be there to find out.
In a follow-up to that incident, an Eagle story explained how difficult it is to hit anything under real-life shooting situations, which are typically stressful, sudden and confusing. Police officers receive many hours of training to prepare for shoot-outs. Even then, they often can't hit the side of a barn.
I'm not blaming them. Macho bluster aside, the simple truth is, it's hard to pull the trigger on another human being with intent to kill -- or to hit anything when you do.
I hope lawmakers boost the deadly force training for applicants -- replicating real-life situations and scenarios -- and require yearly refresher courses.
Otherwise, we might as well call this Barney Fife's Law.
No, I don't think concealed carry will lead to a breakdown of public order or some "Mad Max" postapocalyptic society. But neither will it enhance public safety.
It's just a dud.
My guess is that once the novelty wears off, and people realize how difficult it is to live out their "Miami Vice" fantasies, they'll leave the guns at home.
Let's hope that's the outcome.
Who really benefits from this law? The National Rifle Association, which can put another notch on its gun belt.
But Kansans will see at least one conspicuous difference: a lot more signs.
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Randy Scholfield is an Eagle editorial writer. His column appears on Fridays. Reach him at 316-268-6545 or [email protected].
http://www.kansas.com/mld/kansas/news/columnists/randy_scholfield/15743713.htm
This author is a jackass. As I said on another forum, how about Yosamite Sam for us and Chicken little for them?
I think I'd find better uses for my store front advertising space.
