Keokuk is getting ready for the guns

I've posted before about the upcoming carry permit change in our state, chronicling the viewpoints of many anti-gun sheriffs and mayors. Here's more to add to the list: Keokuk and Lee county. With an opening line:

Keokuk police are planning for the worst and hoping for the best after the new open carry law goes into effect Jan. 1, 2011.

Sounds like prudent advice, but then we have lines like these from long-time County Attorney, Mike Short

Short said the community could face the type of scenario where “five weeks from now, someone walks into a business and they’re packing their shotgun and have their pistol at their side and wants to talk to the S.O.B. who” – fill in the blank.

You mean some dirtbag couldn't do that before the new law takes affect? I'm sure that's never happened before and somehow the new carry law will magically transform peaceable citizens into cold-hearted killers. I guess Short doesn't understand the current laws on the books (he doesn't) regarding menacing and threats of violence.

And remember, signs are powerful shields that prevent anyone from bringing a firearm into your business:

“If it’s posted not to (carry weapons), we will charge them for trespass,” Short said. “Bar owners are encouraged really strongly to take action (and post their establishments). If you call us and tell us someone is there with a weapon you’ll have a police response.”

Maybe he does understand what a "threat" means? And what kind of police response should one expect down there?

Keokuk police chief, Tom Crew (and his crew) have the answer:

“We’re going to have our hands full,” Crew said. “There’s no playbook, no handbook for this. We haven’t even seen what the permit is going to look like. It’s going to change how we do police work in Keokuk. If we stop someone who is carrying a weapon we’ll request a permit. If they don’t present it and we see a firearm in the vehicle, they’ll be face down in a snow bank in Iowa.”

Nice to know they employ threats of violence to keep us in line. Presumably with a heel grinding into the back of the head to let you know who's in charge.

Crew is actually saying what he thinks of the Second Amendment and citizens rights. You may have a right to keep and bear arms but only how he sees fit. Just having one in your possession will be met with force, you wouldn't need to use it in a threatening manner towards an officer. Have a gun and Johnny-Law will take you down.

And yea, I know "it's the law", but the law should be tempered with justice. At least that's how I was raised and with working with LEOs from years ago, they did too. But I guess that's my naive viewpoint of the world and how it should be.

What this cabal did was to inform the public that they have every reason to fear someone when they carry a gun.

A gun = threat.

Good job, public servants.