The Omnibus

Issue date: 4/22/04 Section: The Forum

Comment on this article

Every time I switch on my television these days, there always seems to be one common issue: guns. There do not seem to be any shows or movies not involving guns in some way.

Guns are also receiving a great deal of media attention, especially now that the Missouri Supreme Court will be deciding in October whether or not a state law that allows citizens to carry concealed weapons is constitutional.

The reduction of crime is one of the main arguments in this debate. The new law will decrease the level of crime, some say, because honest citizens will be able to have the same element of surprise a criminal would have.

I find it ironic that those who weigh the crime factor in the debate on guns do not factor AIDS into the issue of gay marriage.

It is also ironic that those who feel guns should be banned or controlled because guns kill people do not take into account that not only does abortion kill children who would otherwise live, but also that deep psychological problems are involved for women who have abortions.

When it comes to other issues, people spout off arguments about their rights without taking into account others who are harmfully affected.

On the issue of gun control, however, people only argue about how guns affect others. If I were to address the conceal and carry law the same way others have argued issues in the past, I would have to focus on my rights rather than crime.

Concerning the argument regarding crime rates, however, I feel by not allowing Missouri to keep the law, the only people hurting will be the citizens who would use a concealed gun as self protection.

Regardless of the law, criminals will obtain guns and will conceal them. That is what criminals do -- break the law. As many times as that scenario has been said before, it still remains true.

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