To the editor of my local weekly newspaper:
Unintended consequences.
Recently, a number of local businesses have posted “No Gun” signs at their entrances. I
appreciate there is confusion and perhaps apprehension among store owners and
managers over Mississippi’s so-called “Open Carry” law. I say, “so-called,” because
that’s not what the legislation signed into law was about. Article 3, Section 12 of the
Mississippi Constitution recognizes citizens’ right to bear arms. As I understand it, one
of the objectives of the legislation was to clarify what “concealed” means in the term,
“Concealed Carry.” (This is a gross over-simplification, and we have in our community
those better able to discuss the law than I.)
More than 43,000 Mississippians have Firearms Permits issued by the Department of
Public Safety permitting them to carry a concealed handgun. To obtain a Firearms
Permit, one must be 21, apply in person, pay a fee, be fingerprinted, be screened by the
county sheriff, and pass an FBI background check. A person who is issued a Firearms
Permit has never been convicted of a felony, any drug or domestic violence offense, and
has no history of mental illness. In short, Firearms Permit holders are among the most
law-abiding, upstanding citizens in the state. In my experience, they are also among the
most knowledgeable folks when it comes to states’ laws concerning the responsibilities
of carrying a concealed firearm.
By posting “No Gun” signs, and threatening me with felony arrest if I enter your
establishment with my legally concealed firearm-- which I WILL NOT DO because I will
not enter a posted establishment-- you have unintentionally signaled to me that you no
longer want my business. You were fine serving me, chatting with me, and collecting my
$$ in June-- while I was armed-- but things apparently have changed
I would ask local business owners to reconsider posting those signs. This is Webster
County, Mississippi. There are guns everywhere. I find it hard to believe your other
customers are afraid of guns, even if they themselves choose to not exercise their right
to bear. Signs are not going to stop bad guys. They’re just going to make me shop
elsewhere.
Until those signs are removed, I’ll honor your requests to not enter your establishments.
Interesting phenomenon.
ReplyDeleteDo you see many going up? Sort of self identifies the voting preferences, doesn't it!
I did some research yesterday and drove around town looking. So far, I've seen two in town. One was inside a restaurant we were in Sunday, so I suppose there could be others inside entrances.
DeleteThere are a couple of Mississippi gun forums and the guys on them are all over it. The thing that bothered me the most about the situation is that it was some police chiefs fraternal organization who designed them, then gave them to police departments, and the police copy them and give them out. Now, who's paying for those copies? And why aren't they passing out signs that say, "Guns Welcome Here"?