Letters on brandishing guns, Patriot cheaters, airport name
Brandishing gun is intimidation
In support of passing a law to allow all legal gun owners to carry concealed weapons without a permit, Senate Majority Leader Terry Bruce, R-Hutchinson, said: “Most incidents, I believe, they resolve themselves with the gun being brandished” (Jan. 22 Eagle). Apparently it has not occurred to Bruce that such “brandishing” is usually referred to as “intimidation,” which is, in itself, illegal in most of this country’s jurisdictions.
My question is this: Suppose a belligerent, irrational ignoramus or a stinking little coward – neither of whom is yet a felon – decides to “brandish” that gun in order to get his or her way in any given situation? Most of us likely know someone who might do this in the heat of argument, or the throes of a bit too much alcohol, just to make a point. Aren’t you simply making it more possible to do so?
Guns are intimidating. That’s why we allow our police officers to openly carry them, on the basis that those individuals are trained, trusted and must have something more than the average citizen to exercise control of potentially harmful situations.
Why is it that I have to believe that someone “brandishing” a gun in a visitors’ gallery of the Statehouse would not be greeted by the applause of the senators below?
PHILIP H. SCHNEIDER
Wichita
Patriots no more
I have probably been one of the most passionate fans of the New England Patriots since the days of Steve Grogan and Tom Owen.
Normally, this week I would be all over the buildup for the Super Bowl. However, after the transgression concerning football air and the subsequent explanations by head coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady, I have reached a level of “no more.”
They were caught in Spygate after the league warned all teams to stop the practice. Now comes Deflategate, and they admit no wrong. They are blaming some poor equipment guy while it’s always been evident that nothing gets past Belichick’s level of detail. There’s no way a professional quarterback wouldn’t notice the difference, but they continue to not accept any wrongdoing.
Any fan would want their coach to find an edge, and Belichick is one of the best. But when you go too far, it’s better to man up than cover up.
I’m not sure how much more Patriots owner Robert Kraft will take, and it wouldn’t surprise me if changes will occur after the game.
It was a nice ride, and at least I have the halftime show.
MIKE NESTOR
Clearwater
Ike airport?
Ike would rather have the money spent on fixing the pools for the kids than on street signs or a new airport name (“Eisenhower’s granddaughter helps Wichita rename airport,” Jan. 27 Business Today). Why didn’t they put his name on the interstate system?
DENNIS OKEEFE
Goddard
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This story was originally published January 29, 2015 at 6:05 PM with the headline "Letters on brandishing guns, Patriot cheaters, airport name."