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 -----Original Message-----

From: Brad Alpert 

Sent: Wednesday, February 19, 2003 12:51 PM

To: kwagar@kcstar.com

Cc: readerrep@kcstar.com
Subject:: Graf 16 from Wednesday's piece on concealed carry legislation

 

"But current law places no limits on how Missouri residents store guns in their homes. And state law allows people to carry guns as long as they are not hidden under clothing."

I enjoyed the article, but found the above statement very misleading.  Anyone not knowing better would read that sentence  and assume, I believe, that because state law allows open carry,  it is legal anywhere in the state. 

Unfortunately, anyone acting upon that supposition will find himself in jail and charged with a misdemeanor in any of numerous  municipalities, including many around the Kansas City area.

Mr. Wagar, you should know that the State has preemtion on every aspect of firearms legislation except for that governing local open-carry ordinances.  If not, you certainly should, given your coverage of firearms/leg issues for such a long time.

In the interest of accuracy - and possibly, to spare someone the  trauma of being charged with a gun crime (upon conviction of which, that someone would be prevented from ever acquiring a Missouri handgun purchase permit) - I expect to see a correction featured as prominently as the original piece.

Thank you.

 

Brad Alpert

Director, Western Missouri Shooters Alliance

Mr. Alpert,

 

I've notified Mr. Wagar's editors of your concerns. You should know, however, that if a correction/clarification is published it  will appear on A-2 where all our corrections appear.

 

Doug Worgul

Reader's Representative

The Kansas City Star

(816) 234.4487

readerrep@kcstar.com

Thank you for the prompt reply.

I know where the corrections appear.  That doesn't stop me from - as I stated - *expecting* it to be as prominently displayed as the original, erroneous material, though :-)

Brad