Gun debate at heart of Pachyderm Club forum

Panel members of a gun- control forum hosted Thursday night by the Southeast Missouri Pachyderm Club spoke of gun safety, legislation and Second Amendment rights at Dexter Bar-B-Que in Cape Girardeau.

Featured on the panel were Lt. Barry Hovis of the Cape Girardeau Police Department and a longtime member of the National Rifle Association, Jeff Poole, owner of Absolute Arms and Ammo in Cape Girardeau, concealed carry instructor Jake Ruebel and local Wal-Mart sporting goods department manager Heidi Holland, who did not want to reveal the location of the store at which she is employed.

Panelists began the discussion by sharing Second Amendment interpretations, and the talk quickly turned to self-defense and concerns by each member of an overreaching federal government.

Holland said fear and protection seemed to be the primary motivators for the majority of customers she assists.

"I've had more and more people coming in saying 'I don't own a gun, never owned a gun, but I want one,'   " Holland said. "I think these people are just running scared and stockpiling as much as they can before weapons and ammo aren't available or are too expensive."

While there was some discussion about the place of "sporting" guns, weapons used primarily for hunting, the focus remained on guns used for defense.

Ruebel summed up his feelings on the matter of self-protection when he said, "My guns in my home are designed for one thing: killing people."

Another key point was the rising interest in concealed-carry permits in the aftermath of multiple mass shootings across the country.

Poole said he often refers customers to concealed-carry instructors and had noticed a rise in sales of his stock of concealed gun holsters.

Ruebel said in the last two months, he has trained 75 students. Since January, he said he has taught about two classes a month, each class averaging 15 to 20 students.

When asked if he believed the concealed-carry law helped prevent crime, Hovis said as a law enforcement officer he has conflicting views.

"If a person did unload their weapon in a mall and a lawful citizen fired back with their concealed weapon, as a law officer just rushing to the scene, I don't know which guy holding a gun is the bad guy," Hovis said.

Poole agreed, but stated citizens carrying concealed weapons were less likely to be victims of attack.

The final questions of the panel focused on recent gun-control legislation, a topic which participants -- and many audience members -- were quite vocal. When asked about House Bill 545 filed by Missouri House Democrat Rory Ellinger of University City that would make possession of assault weapons illegal, Ruebel called it "absurd." Hovis agreed, calling it a "publicity stunt" that never will make it out of the House.

Republican State Rep. Donna Lichtenegger of Jackson said she drove directly to the forum from Jefferson City, Mo., to inform constituents that she plans to vote "in favor of the Second Amendment."

"We will vote this down, and we will make sure we make a statement," Lichtenegger said.

Lori Trump, newly elected Pachyderm Club president, said informing voters of the issues is why the club believes in hosting forums such as Thursday night's.

"When voters are more involved, they begin to mobilize, and know how to vote when it's time," Trump said.

srinehart@semissourian.com

388-3641

Pertinent address:

236 S. Broadview St., Cape Girardeau, MO