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Police chief fears the worst in new concealed carry law

By RHONDA ROSS
Staff Writer

Two opposing fans get into a shouting match at a sporting event and the argument spills into the parking lot, where one of them pulls a concealed handgun from a car glove compartment and, BANG, argument over.

This is just one scenario that Arkansas City Police Chief Dan Givens fears when Kansas' concealed weapons law takes affect next year.

Givens said last week that 86 applications had come through his office so far. He expects a bigger surge before the end of the year.

The first licenses to carry concealed handguns will be issued by the Kansas Department of Revenue on Jan. 2, 2007. After that, it will be impossible to know who is, "packing heat," and who isn't.

"It's a giant step backwards," Givens said.

Givens has been asking local businesses to post signs that forbid anyone from bringing in a concealed gun. The signs can be obtained from the police department or downloaded from www.ksag.org/Concealed_Weapon/Concealed_Carry_Update.htm

So far, several businesses have posted the signs, including The Brown Store, Stage, the Traveler and Picture This TV & Radioshack.

Picture This was one of the first Ark City businesses to post the sign. Owner Danny Thompson said Givens asked him if he would put a sign in his window and he agreed. But he said he really doesn't feel strongly about it.

"I've also got a poster right underneath (the concealed-carry sign) for someone who's starting up a program to get licensed to carry concealed weapons," Thompson said.

He said the program would be offered soon for women who want to be certified to carry a handgun.

Thompson doesn't have a strong opinion on the issue, but, "If someone's going to carry a gun in here, I'd kind of like to know it."

Troy Ebert of The Brown Store said he's not sure how much good posting the sign will do. He opposes the law.

"I realize it's a right we have as citizens but it's a little frightening and intimidating to think that someone is walking around with a concealed weapon," he said. "If they're concealed, how are you going to know?"

Ebert isn't sure what happens if someone does walk into his store with a concealed gun.

"There are a lot of things about this law that that aren't clear," he said. "We'll have to wait until after the first of the year to see what happens."

Givens said he understands the need people have to protect themselves and their property, and he doesn't argue their Second Amendment right "to keep and bear arms."

But Givens said he fears volatile situations -- like road rage or domestic violence -- will lead to gun violence.

And he worries that in an emotionally-charged situation, the presence of a gun will only serve to pour gasoline on the fire.

"We (the police) don't always use deadly force, even when we could," Givens said.

Kasha Kelley won't put the sign outside her business, First Intermark on South Summit. Kelley, the 79th District state representative, voted for the law and defends it.

Businesses need to think twice before posting the sign.

"If you do post that sign, what are you telling criminals -- 'This is a gun-free zone.' It's something to really think about."

She said most of her constituents supported the law and some were very vocal in favor of it. Kansas was one of a handful of states that did not allow citizens to carry a weapon hidden from view.

"There are a lot of restrictions," she said of the Kansas law. "It was very, very carefully considered before it was written up."

Fear of gun crime increasing is not supported by the experience of concealed carry in other states, she said.

"In fact, if a criminal doesn't know whether or not you're carrying, they're not as likely to attack you," Kelley said. "That's been shown over and over again. "

Kelley herself has taken the training required, but she's still considering whether to get a permit. She said the course was very intense.

"There's a lot of responsibility that goes with it and you need to know what kind of position you're putting yourself in," she said.

But Givens said his biggest concern is the lack of training required under the Kansas law.

Applicants are only required to complete an eight-hour training course currently being taught by any one of 347 certified trainers.

In states where a concealed carry law already exists, most have courses that take one to two days to complete and have components that cover both the firing range and the classroom.

Givens says he doesn't believe an eight hour course can cover all the necessary information. His officers undergo training several times a year, he said, and make repeated trips to the firing range.

"We spend $4,000 a year on ammo."

Much of the training for Kansas applicants deals with explaining the law that pertains to carrying a concealed weapon and knowing when deadly force can be used.

And, Givens said the new law doesn't require people to continue their training.

Second on Givens' list of concerns is how the weapons will be secured. Will they be concealed in a holster, like his officers' and how easy will it be to take them away?

What people don't realize, he said, is how many "trained" officers have been killed because their guns were taken away and used on them. He said it's "high on the list" of police fatalities.

Last month, the office of Attorney General Phill Kline reported that more than 3,200 people had applied, thus far, for the license, at an average of 40 each working day. Of those applications, over 2,600 had been approved.

To be eligible for a permit to carry a concealed weapon, one must first pay between $100 to $150 for training and be fingerprinted before an application can be submitted.

The application, which costs an additional $150, then goes through the attorney general's office and a background check by the Kansas Bureau of Investigation. The process can take two weeks, barring further investigation.

The local police chief or sheriff can also weigh in, Givens said. If they have reason to believe a person should not receive a permit to carry a concealed weapon.

This could occur in cases where a recent felony charge may not have reached a main database. Individuals who have applied for the licenses, and have been approved, will be notified sometime this month.

Above: Police Chief Dan Givens wants businesses to post this sign.