Open carrying in compliance: Some worry about changes in Cape Girardeau ordinance

New state laws prohibiting cities from adopting full open carry bans have sparked a debate over concealed versus open carrying of firearms.

Some have expressed concern that people openly carrying weapons in public areas will create a panic, with those unaware of the changed laws flooding 911 with panicked calls. These concerns typically spring from cities that once prohibited open carry, until the state law took effect Oct. 10.

Cape Girardeau was among those changing its ordinances to comply with the new law, which allows people with a valid concealed carry permit to carry firearms openly. The city granted final approval for the updated ordinance at Monday night's city council meeting.

But some in Cape Girardeau doubt public reactions to open carry will be quite so severe. Kevin Alexander has a concealed-carry permit and has taken multiple firearms and handgun training courses. He plans to take advantage of the opportunity to carry a firearm openly, but he said it's not a decision to be made lightly.

He also recognizes that seeing people around town or in grocery stores with a handgun on their hip might be a shock at first.

"It's going to frighten people and it's going to do a lot of things," Alexander said. "But for me, it's going to protect myself and my family."

He also said he doesn't expect Cape Girardeau to revert to the days of the "wild west," a sentiment echoed by Cape Girardeau police chief Wes Blair in an earlier interview with the Southeast Missourian. Blair said the new law hasn't created any problems for law enforcement.

"I don't have an issue with open carry so much," he said. "I know sometimes it's a little unnerving to walk into a mall and see somebody with a gun strapped to their hip, but ... since the Legislature passed their bill, we haven't had any issues with citizens over it."

Alexander said he doesn't plan to carry his handgun frequently, but said it's good to have the option to carry when visiting unfamiliar areas. He also said he tries to be considerate of other people who might be frightened to see weapons openly carried in public. Carrying a weapon, concealed or otherwise, comes with a high degree of responsibility, Alexander said.

"Me, myself, whenever I feel like I need to carry openly, there's a dress code that I follow," he said. " ... You don't want to look like a threat. That's one thing I think is important. If you're going to open carry, then you should look like you're responsible enough to do it."

But those carrying weapons shouldn't just look the part, he said, they should be adequately trained as well. Many concealed-carry classes include free refresher courses and Alexander encourages people to take advantage of them. There are a number of ranges in the area available for target practice, he said.

Shooting ranges in the Cape Girardeau area come with indoor and outdoor options. There's also a free outdoor range at Apple Creek Conservation Area in Jackson.

A common argument against open carry is the increased possibility of the owner being forcefully relieved of his or her firearm by someone who could then use the weapon to harm others. But that's a problem Alexander said could be prevented with the proper training and knowledge.

"You have to be alert of who's around you. It's just like [a law enforcement] officer. They do the same thing," he said. "They keep their weapon under their arm and they keep it locked. ... In training, they teach you to practice the motion [of removing a gun from the holster] until it's like a muscle memory thing."

Alexander said as long as gun owners take their responsibilities seriously, he expects the public to become more comfortable and even more accepting of open carry. For those who plan to open carry because it's "cool," he advises caution.

"It's not a status thing and it's not something you're supposed to make yourself look cool with, because as soon as you start trying to look cool, you're going to lose track of what your responsibilities are," Alexander said of openly carrying a gun. "It's a huge responsibility. It's not child's play."

Blair said gun owners in Cape Girardeau have not tried to provoke confrontations with police, as some organizations have done in other areas. An event that took place in St. Louis days after the new ordinance took effect included more than 70 people toting hand guns and long guns as they walked to the Gateway Arch.

"I think we're fortunate in this area -- you see in a lot of areas that you have advocacy groups that want to bait the police into doing something, and we haven't experienced any of that at all," he said.

srinehart@semissourian.com

388-3641

Southeast Missourian reporter Emily Priddy contributed to this report.

Pertinent address:

Cape Girardeau, Mo.