Welcome to Overland Park, Kansas. To those of you who haven't been home for a while you should know we have a brand new law. Yes sir! We have ----- wait for it ---- open carry!!!! Strap on that gun buckaroos we are headed for town! It's official. The city council voted 11-1! YAHOO! An individual can openly carry a handgun on public property as long as he or she has legally obtained said gun. Don't you love it? It seems you can't go around stealing that "heat" you are packing -- after all, there are rules. Play fair for God's sakes. You gotta keep that "gat" in a holster with the safety on ---- but, and here is the best part, you have to keep the weapon in your control at all times. Oh, Lord have mercy! That is positively no fun at all. So strapping on your "piece" is just for show? No sir! Listen "pardner," a loaded gun is for "shootin" ----- even if someone bigger and quicker, and better with firearms gets the "drop on ya" ---- disarms "ya" ----- does tricks with your guaranteed macho gun, and finally blows your damn fool head off with that same gun that was openly carried..... even if all that ---- just remember that gun was made to be openly carried and used by gawd! That will sure show "em." Safety and sanity have come to Overland Park, Kansas -- my hometown.
My neighborhood store, where there's a helpful smile (and a loaded gun) in every aisle!
UPDATE:
The police chief weighs in. From the Kansas City Star:
Police Chief John Douglass told the council he thought the new amendment was necessary; otherwise the city could end up in court.
He also said that although his professional opinion agreed with the change, his personal opinion did not.
After all, he said when asked by a council member, the new amendment allows any legal gun owner to openly display a firearm in public. The gun owner does not have to have a permit or have special training.
Douglass also expressed frustration that concealed weapons, which do require a permit and training, are already allowed in public places in Overland Park. The city passed that ordinance, to be in accordance with the state Legislature, five years ago.
“These are the reasons police chiefs stay up at night,” he told the council. “All these issues cause me concern. Unless there is a way the city could prohibit it, there’s nothing we can do.”
Councilman Paul Lyons was the only one who voted against the amendment.
Before the vote, he voiced his disappointment that the new law would allow gun owners to show off their weapons in places such as city parks or malls, given there is no sign on the building prohibiting firearms.
“I can’t imagine allowing people to carry weapons while they’re walking in downtown Overland Park,” he said. “This city has been named one of the top 10 cities to live in the nation. Allowing people to openly carry weapons sends the wrong message.”
