A new bill introduced on Tuesday by Rep. Jim Aslanides proposes to change an already controversial concealed carry law by adding a provision that would prohibit the release of names to the media of those carry guns.
An applicant for a concealed weapon permit can now sign a sworn statement declaring that he or she fears a criminal attack or one against a family member if the information were disclosed. This notion, however, goes against the very reason for holding a concealed carry license.
The right to privately conceal and carry a firearm is not inherently greater than the right of the public to know who carries firearms in an open forum. Those who choose to participate in the concealed carry program should do so because they are confident their decision is necessary and dutiful. If that is the case, there is no need to fear retribution for concealing and carrying a firearm. If the reason to carry a gun in public is justified, there should be no fear of attacks or need for media sanctions.
The concealed carry bill passed by Governor Bob Taft last year required sheriffs release a list of those holding the permit to the media upon request. Under the new proposal, reporters would be unable to learn who holds a concealed carry permit. No safeguards will be in place to alert the public of people unlawfully carrying concealed weapons in their community.
Under no circumstances should a person's decision to carry a concealed weapon be withheld from public knowledge or media scrutiny. A person who holds a concealed carry license is granted, by law, certain privileges - but concealed carry is not a right. It should not be treated as a right, and should not receive special protection from the government. The government has a greater responsibility to public safety and the preservation and respect of others' rights. The public's right to safety is undoubtedly hindered by the new proposal.
An alternative, and safer, idea is requiring those who apply for a concealed carry permit to give a brief description as to why they need the permit. If a sanitation worker, working early mornings in a crime-ridden neighborhood, wants a permit to carry a gun for his own safety, he should be afforded that privilege and protection. This addition to the application process would filter those who want concealed carry permits for less-than-respectable reasons. The new proposal gives undesirable gun carriers, who are a danger to society, a free pass to both carry a gun in public and hide it.
Some might argue that the screening process will weed out those dangers. The system, however, is sometimes flawed - and when dealing with firearms, the public cannot rely on any system less-than-perfectly efficient.
Those who wish to break the law and carry concealed guns from others will not stop their lawlessness. There is no safeguard for such action. But legalizing the same action and taking away the safeguard of a media watchdog exposes innocent citizens even more. The bill is detrimental to the public forum and should not be passed.
Be the first to comment on this article!