The gun thing

Our legislature and governor and also local county governments are very concerned that our citizenry are not carrying weapons and want to do something about it. Our local Board of Supervisors has proclaimed Jasper County a Second Amendment county resolving that they believe the Second Amendment to be crucial for the survival of our republic.

Now, I don’t dispute that, but I am concerned that many of the citizenry either are unaware of the importance of gun ownership and don’t follow these legislative encouragements; or, disagree with these efforts to have them arm themselves. And in support of this observation, I note that when walking in downtown Newton, I see no one carrying a gun. I can walk into one of the businesses on the square and it appears to be empty of firearms, unless, of course, a gun is being hidden in a purse or under a shirt. But what is the use of having a gun on you if you can’t show it to the public and forestall any issue of having to use it. After all, if I meet someone with a gun in full view, I am less likely to attack that person or try to rob him or her. I really think they should be in plain view.

Unfortunately, this movement to encourage the carrying of weapons when out and about must have as its primary rationale the failure of our various law enforcement agencies to protect us from harm. I get the response when asking someone the reason he or she is carrying a weapon, or has a weapon in a car loaded and ready, that it is “for protection”. So, for instance, when shopping at Walmart, getting from the car to the front door could be perilous, and if any of you have googled “the people of Walmart” you are aware of the dangers lurking in the aisles there. I do note that Hy-Vee is heeding the cry for more security in hiring their own to patrol the isles. I would expect the meat counters might be the most hazardous especially now that meat prices have increased substantially.

But back to this idea of safety. Purportedly, the police the city hires, and the deputies the county hires are here to protect the citizens of Newton and Jasper County. There must be a surge in belief that they are failing in that duty. By spending their time stopping cars for various traffic offenses and arresting people for such things as driving under suspension rather they should be on the lookout for mayhem — walking the streets of downtown Newton or other communities, keeping an eye out for trouble makers especially in gathering places such as schools, churches, taverns, restaurants, and in other ways protecting the citizens they are sworn to protect. Hauling some poor soul to jail for not having a driver’s license doesn’t seem to be an activity that protects us from harm. Normally those people need all the help they can get and rather than take them to jail, should be escorted to their destination. After all, it is the motto of our law enforcement that they are here to “serve and protect”. I can think of few services that would be better appreciated than law enforcement offering rides to people who don’t have drivers licenses.

However, if safety is not the motivation for arming the public, then we have an altogether different analysis.

Richard E. H. Phelps II

Mingo