LETTERS: ALTERNATIVES TO CONCEAL-CARRY LAWS

To the editor:

The recent interest in Proposition B has led to various references to crime statistics associated with states with "shall issue," "discretionary issue" or "no issue" policies regarding concealed weapons. Some would like to suggest that reductions in violent crime in certain states are the result of "shall issue" laws. However, the statistical evicence can be interpreted otherwise.

For instance, FBI statistics for the years 1992-1997 reveal the following changes in violent crime rates: florida, -15.2 percent; Indiana, +1.2 percent; Kentucky, -40.8 percent; Tennessee, +5.8 percent; and Texas, -25.35 percent.

Of these examples, only Texas and Kentucky exceeded the national average of -19.4 percent. According to Peter Kinder, Kentucky passed its law after this reporting period.

During the same five-year period, these "no issue" states reported the following: Missouri, -22 percent; Illinois, -11.9 percent; and kansas, -19.9 percent.

Clearely, there are non-lethal alternatives to "shall issue" laws that contribute to the reduction of violent crime -- and do so without the risk of additional accidental or intentional taking of life. These alternatives include cellular phones, pepper spray, neighborhood watch programs, Crimestoppers, and community-based law enforcement.

JIM MAGINEL

Community 2000 Support Center

Southeast Missouri State University

Cape Girardeau