[lurker]

When does 'common sense' become waffling?

When the HutchNews editorializes....

Council waffles

Members should rethink decision on ordinance

Two of the Hutchinson City Council's more thoughtful members announced last week they were too hasty in voting for an ordinance that bans the carry of concealed guns in city-owned buildings, facilities and parks. And to that end, councilmen Brad Dillon and Ron Sellers said they favor allowing the ordinance to lapse when city officials review and adopt criminal codes later this month.

Sellers and Dillon made the right decision - the first time. They should stick to their guns and leave the ordinance, which drew little fire from gun proponents, in place.

In fact, one council member said he didn't receive any calls from constituents after a Jan. 2 meeting, when the council adopted an ordinance that mirrors the state's concealed carry law but added locations - "city-owned buildings and facilities, which include parks" - where concealed carry is banned.

One council member said he received three e-mails questioning adoption of the ordinance, which beefs up the state's concealed carry law. If Dillon and Sellers had been hit with a barrage of phone calls, e-mails and faxes, it would be understandable for either or both to seek further discussion about the ordnance. But a couple of e-mails and a handful of comments made while the two attended other public events hardly represent a majority opinion.

And a simple fact remains: There is no need to bring a concealed weapon to any city-owned park.

State law bans guns - concealed or carried in plain sight - from schools, bars or sporting events. The latter takes care of Fun Valley Softball Complex and the Sports Arena in Hutchinson. But it does not protect city-owned parks that also are home to softball and baseball fields.

For example, Rice Park on the city's west side and Carey Park, on the southern end, both sport ballfields that adults and youth use heavily in the summer. Because the council now has decided to abandon its concealed carry ordinance, those who attend ball games played at Stremel Field in Carey Park and the Rice Park ball diamonds can expect fans who like to carry concealed weapons.

The problem with those parks, Hutchinson City Manager John Deardoff correctly points out, is that they have too many access points, making enforcement of a concealed ban seemingly impossible.

Others note it is legal to carry guns that are in plain sight into city-owned parks, so why ban concealed carry?

For this council to consider banning guns altogether from city-owned parks probably is too far-reaching - those that are concealed or carried in plain sight. But that is an option.

The city should offer such protection to families and children who want to enjoy ball games at the parks without fear of some disgruntled fan, angry at an umpire or coach, suddenly producing a weapon that he or she legally concealed.

A gun ban won't prevent those premeditated incidents of violence, those intent on harming someone. But a ban can prevent those needless accidents that stem from gun owners bringing their guns to public venues simply because they can.

At the least, Dillon and Sellers should reconsider their decisions to allow the concealed carry ordinance to lapse, especially given the little ire the measure generated. At the most, the entire council should consider an ordinance that bans guns - both concealed and carried in plain sight - at all city parks.

02/04/2007; 02:39:12 AM

The Editor simply doesn't understand that common sense doesn't require a barrage of emails (or phone calls) to take hold....