Concealed weapons laws taking hold, broadening across U.S.
By John A. Dvorak Knight Ridder Newspapers

KANSAS CITY, Mo. … The first shot rang out in Florida 15 years ago,
and the advocates of guns for personal defense never let up.

From state to state the movement spread, a campaign to overturn laws
against carrying concealed weapons and to give residents an opportunity to
pack guns hidden in holsters or purses.

The latest to go concealed: New Mexico.

“”The pendulum is swinging the other way now,” said Lenexa, Kan.,
antique gun dealer Jim Supica, a member of the National Rifle
Association’s board of directors.

One factor fueling the push: changed feelings brought about by the
Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

“”I think there is more of a sense of personal vulnerability, a
seriousness of the issue of personal defense,” Supica said.

Besides Kansas and Missouri, where concealed-weapons bills are pending,
just four states … Illinois, Nebraska, Ohio and Wisconsin … ban
concealed weapons, according to the National Conference of State
Legislatures. As recently as 1995, nearly twice that many did, the group
said.

In the 1980s, 40 or more states prohibited concealed weapons, the
National Rifle Association said. In 1987 Florida decided to loosen up, to
allow law-abiding citizens to obtain permits to carry concealed guns.

Who could have predicted the victories of the pro-gun movement since?

“”I’ve been surprised,” said Jon Vernick, co-director of the Johns
Hopkins Center for Gun Policy and Research in Baltimore. “”The NRA and
other advocates have been very successful in promoting this kind of
change.”

Polls indicate they’re in the minority, but they’re vocal, well-funded,
passionate and willing to make guns a primary voting issue, Vernick said.

Of those opposed to concealed guns, he said, “”They don’t have the
political influence.”

The opponents are battling back where they can … and achieving some
victories.

One of two bills to widen Colorado’s law on concealed guns was defeated
recently in a legislative committee. A bid to loosen training requirements
for gun owners in Utah was turned back.

But the opponents are scrambling.

“”Basically, what you see is the NRA chipping away,” said Nancy Hwa,
spokeswoman for the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence in Washington.

………

Several years ago Elizabeth Kinch of Derby, Kan., helped form Safe
State, a group opposed to concealed guns.

She said the NRA benefits from persistence, with a relatively few
committed crusaders overcoming the wishes of the public.

“”I would like to believe that we can continue to move ahead toward a
more progressive, civilized society,” Kinch said. “”You look at European
communities, and they don’t have this proliferation of weapons. It’s just
the United States that does.”

The 1999 bloodbath at Columbine High School in Colorado prompted an
outpouring of gun criticism. But if the pro-gun push entered a lull, it’s
over.

The nightmare scenarios that anti-gun activists warned about … Dodge
City-style shootouts between those legally carrying guns … haven’t
happened in states that approved concealed weapons.

While researchers cannot agree that carrying guns prevents crime, they
cannot agree that it’s bad, either.

Meanwhile, the NRA says its membership is increasing, to 4.3 million
people at last check.

Gun supporters are well known for their willingness to draft letters or
make phone calls to their state legislators. Such contacts easily can evolve
into what lawmakers consider a landslide of public opinion.

Outside of mid-America, two new laws took effect last year: New Mexico
approved the carrying of concealed guns, although courts are holding up the
measure, and Michigan opened up its law to make permits easier to obtain.

This year, the NRA sees the possibility of concealed-carry victories in
Missouri, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin.

“”We’d like to see concealed-carry in all 50 states,” said Kelly
Whitley, a representative for the National Rifle Association’s office in
suburban Washington. “”It’s certainly possible.”

………

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