Letters to the editor
Issue date: 10/31/08 Section: Opinion
Reform state gun laws
There has been some discussion about changing the laws in Arkansas to allow open carry. This is a change that I completely agree with.
The Second Amendment does not mean I can only carry concealed. It means I can carry, and unfortunately, that right has slowly eroded away. By allowing open carry the state would be restoring a right.
Concealed carry vs. open carry isn't the only law that needs to be changed. The training requirement needs to be done away with, also. The Second Amendment doesn't read "the right of the people who are trained to keep and bear arms." Anyone who carries knows the cost it takes to get a concealed license - about $250 to $300, $144 to the state police and the rest pays for training. Then a wait of about six months to get the license.
Some say, "So, what?" I say, what about the woman who has recently gone through a horrible relationship and the ex is stalking her and threatens her harm?
"Excuse me, ex-boyfriend/husband/lover, could you wait six months before you harass me?"
She, along with all other law-abiding citizens, should be able to carry at any time. What if she is having hard times and barely can afford to feed herself?
Maybe she has children and can't afford to give up the $300 to get a license. What is she to do then when the crazy ex comes to do her harm? Call the police? When seconds count, the police are minutes away.
The Arkansas gun laws need to be reformed, not just on open carry.
Tim Huett
Serving on active duty with the U.S Army's 3rd Infantry Division
Vote for a third-party candidate
For all those that haven't voted early, you have some choices to make. Yes, some, not one.
First, there are a lot of out-of-staters who will be voting by absentee. Are you from a state that the outcome is not all but certain? If so, vote for Obama or McCain, whichever you believe is least damaging to our nation. If not, and to those from Arkansas which is all but decidedly going for McCain, vote for someone else.
I encourage everyone who is actually free from deciding this election to start the process of making a third party viable. In truth, any third party would do. Maybe, just maybe, it will lead to actual concerns being actually addressed in the legislative and executive branches. If they aren't so beholden to a party to succeed in our national government, more could get done.
If need be, write in a name - whatever, just make percentages noticed. Let them grow over the next several elections until Jesse Ventura winning as a third party isn't a fluke.
Let's face it. Neither Obama nor McCain is very desirable. McCain is far too inconsistent on everything outside of foreign policy, and Obama is far too consistent in his views that ignore the Constitution, the supreme law of the land. Both are hazardous to the greatness of our nation.
Lead us to real choices one vote at a time. Don't throw your vote away, but if you have the latitude in your state, use it. Everyone would be better off with the spectrum of choices.
Jeremy Carrell
Maintenance worker II
Recycling
There has been some discussion about changing the laws in Arkansas to allow open carry. This is a change that I completely agree with.
The Second Amendment does not mean I can only carry concealed. It means I can carry, and unfortunately, that right has slowly eroded away. By allowing open carry the state would be restoring a right.
Concealed carry vs. open carry isn't the only law that needs to be changed. The training requirement needs to be done away with, also. The Second Amendment doesn't read "the right of the people who are trained to keep and bear arms." Anyone who carries knows the cost it takes to get a concealed license - about $250 to $300, $144 to the state police and the rest pays for training. Then a wait of about six months to get the license.
Some say, "So, what?" I say, what about the woman who has recently gone through a horrible relationship and the ex is stalking her and threatens her harm?
"Excuse me, ex-boyfriend/husband/lover, could you wait six months before you harass me?"
She, along with all other law-abiding citizens, should be able to carry at any time. What if she is having hard times and barely can afford to feed herself?
Maybe she has children and can't afford to give up the $300 to get a license. What is she to do then when the crazy ex comes to do her harm? Call the police? When seconds count, the police are minutes away.
The Arkansas gun laws need to be reformed, not just on open carry.
Tim Huett
Serving on active duty with the U.S Army's 3rd Infantry Division
Vote for a third-party candidate
For all those that haven't voted early, you have some choices to make. Yes, some, not one.
First, there are a lot of out-of-staters who will be voting by absentee. Are you from a state that the outcome is not all but certain? If so, vote for Obama or McCain, whichever you believe is least damaging to our nation. If not, and to those from Arkansas which is all but decidedly going for McCain, vote for someone else.
I encourage everyone who is actually free from deciding this election to start the process of making a third party viable. In truth, any third party would do. Maybe, just maybe, it will lead to actual concerns being actually addressed in the legislative and executive branches. If they aren't so beholden to a party to succeed in our national government, more could get done.
If need be, write in a name - whatever, just make percentages noticed. Let them grow over the next several elections until Jesse Ventura winning as a third party isn't a fluke.
Let's face it. Neither Obama nor McCain is very desirable. McCain is far too inconsistent on everything outside of foreign policy, and Obama is far too consistent in his views that ignore the Constitution, the supreme law of the land. Both are hazardous to the greatness of our nation.
Lead us to real choices one vote at a time. Don't throw your vote away, but if you have the latitude in your state, use it. Everyone would be better off with the spectrum of choices.
Jeremy Carrell
Maintenance worker II
Recycling
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