LETTERS: FORMER HIGHWAY PATROLMAN BACKS B

To the editor:

We will go to the polls April 6 to vote on Proposition B, the right to carry concealed weapons.

I am concerned that many citizens who have never owned a gun or have never had a reason to use one may be swayed against the proposition by opponents who are using scare tactics for whatever reason. They are saying this bill would permit violent persons and gang members to carry assault weapons. This is simply not true. At the present time, there are laws to keep this from happening. That type of person will carry them in spite of the law.

If this proposition passes, the county sheriff will issue the permits to responsible persons after they are fingerprinted to determine if they have a criminal record. The applicant must take a 12-hour training period, pay and $80 fee for the permit, to be renewed after three years for a $35 fee. The permit can be revoked at any time for misuse.

If this proposition is passed, I believe only a small percentage of eligible persons will apply. I know of prosecuting attorneys, judges and police officers who have been threatened, and I see no reason why they should not be allowed to legally carry a weapon for protection, as well as merchants or any other responsible person. You can be sure many criminals are carrying guns.

I am a retired member of the Missouri State Highway Patrol. I served 34 years in different parts of the state: Hayti, Warrenton, Ste. Genevieve, St. Charles County, Rolla and Jefferson City. There are many reasons why violent crime has increased over the past 50 years. Two big reasons are the confidentiality of the juvenile code and more rights have been given to the criminal and more restrictions have been placed on responsible, law-abiding citizens.

Please vote for Proposition B and remove one of those restrictions and allow reputable persons to apply for and be issued a permit to carry concealed weapons in their cars while traveling the highways. Thirty-one states already have this law, and in every state the crimes of rape and murder have been reduced. This law does work.

HAROLD M. SCHMITT

Cape Girardeau