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Richard Hime responds to
Herdman's rants |
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As submitted to the Star |
As actually published |
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http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascitystar/news/opinion/5648728.htm |
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Friday, April 18, 2003 |
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Original text of R. Hime's editorial Retort to “Pitfalls” |
Opinion
Missouri legislation that would
authorize permits to carry concealed... |
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Since Ms. Herdman’s editorial last Saturday regarding Missouri House Bill 349, the bill has moved through the Pensions and General Laws Committee with a “Do Pass” recommendation to the Senate. Several statements in her comments deserve retort. Proposition B, very narrowly defeated in 1999, by the residents of the major metropolitan areas of Missouri was much different than the current legislation. HB 349 will be one of the most restrictive “shall issue” laws among the 34 states currently allowing concealed carry. Therefore, her inference that the current legislation overrides the “people’s choice” is flawed. A sizable majority of Representatives and Senators in the General Assembly, elected by the people of Missouri, support this legislation. This will become even more evident if Governor Holden chooses to take the political risk and veto the measure. Editorial space does not permit effective debate over the surveys and studies that have been performed regarding the effects of “License to Carry” on violent crime. However, the facts supporting “LTC” in the other states currently having this, or similar, legislation are indisputable and readily available to open-minded people wishing to make an informed decision rather than one based on “fear”. People who fear firearms are usually very unfamiliar with them, just as most who fear flying harbor such fears out of a lack of knowledge regarding the physical laws of nature that allow it to be one of the safest modes of public transportation. Too much reliance upon media coverage, which often is “sensational” and at worst, misleading, often leads to concerns that are not founded in fact or statistically supported. Ms. Herdman’s assertion that “sane” people “can be under the influence of drugs and alcohol” is certainly debatable in my opinion but, not in this letter. Her most inaccurate assumption is that HB 349 makes handguns available to someone that otherwise cannot currently legally own one. IT DOES NOT. There is more than enough unenforceable legislation regarding handgun ownership already. Of course, only honest, law-abiding citizens are the ones restricted by such laws. The criminals don’t care and that is the true issue at the heart of this debate. By all means, contact your legislator. Thank them on behalf of responsible Missourians across the state for their support of HB 349 and request their continued support for this long overdue legislation. Richard A. Hime Mr. Hime is a member of the NRA, Missourians for Personal Safety, and the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. He is Vice President of a Kansas City based asset management firm and Chairperson of his local church Administrative Council. He and his family have lived in Raymore, Missouri, for nearly 30 years. |
Missouri legislation that would authorize permits to carry concealed weapons has moved through the Pensions and General Laws Committee with a "do pass" recommendation to the Senate. As the legislation nears approval by both houses, it is important to clear up some misconceptions. First, Proposition B was very narrowly defeated in 1999 by the residents of the major metropolitan areas of Missouri. The current legislation, which has substantial differences from Proposition B, has the support of a sizable majority of the representatives and senators in the General Assembly. Thus, any inference that the current legislation overrides the "people's choice" is flawed. The support for concealed carry will become even more evident if Gov. Bob Holden chooses to take the political risk and veto the measure. Second, the facts are indisputable that concealed carry does have an effect on violent crime. These facts are readily available to open-minded people wishing to make an informed decision rather than one based on fear. People who fear firearms are usually very unfamiliar with them. The most inaccurate assumption is that House Bill 349 would make handguns available to someone who otherwise could not legally own them. The bill would be one of the most restrictive "shall issue" laws among the 34 states that allow concealed carry. There is more than enough unenforceable legislation regarding handgun ownership already. Of course, only honest, law-abiding citizens are restricted by such laws. The criminals don't care and, that is the true issue at the heart of this debate. By all means, contact your legislators. Thank them on behalf of responsible Missourians across the state for their support of HB 349, and request their continued support for this long overdue legislation. Richard A. Hime is a member of the National Rifle Association, Missourians for Personal Safety, and the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. He is vice president of a Kansas City based asset management firm and chairman of his local church administrative council. He and his family live in Raymore. |
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