Common sense rarely comes into a college football or gun debate. While she may not be able to control overly optimistic or pessimistic Razorbacks fans, state Attorney General Leslie Rutledge can apply a nice dose of common sense into the gun debate. As rare as it is to hear a sports-talk caller with realistic expectations for the Hogs, the same percentages apply to a politician who doesn’t grandstand the gun issue. But when you read the recent opinion her office issued on the so-called open carry issue, you realize she took a reasoned, fair and Andy Griffith-style approach.
A while back, the state Legislature passed Act 746, dealing with the open carry issue relating to guns. To me, open carry sounds like something you would do on Bourbon Street in New Orleans. But it’s not about boozin’ it in The Big Easy; it’s about having a gun strapped to ya like Matt Dillon in Gunsmoke. When Democrats ran things, the thought out of the attorney general’s office was that Act 746 didn’t give people the right to holster up and go out in public. But a new look has been given to Act 746.
State Sen. Jon Woods and Rep. Tim Lemons asked the attorney general for a new opinion on the law. And given the real controversy surrounding if people could be arrested for openly carrying a weapon (some places, they throw you in the hoosegow; other places, they don’t), there is a real need to re-examine the issue. To quote the opinion: “Ordinary Arkansans want to know where and when they can legally possess a handgun. Arkansas law enforcement wants to understand what the law does and does not prohibit.” See, this just isn’t about the rights of individual citizens to carry firearms but also about how law enforcement should react when seeing a fella walk into a McDonald’s with a .357 Magnum strapped to his waist. As if it isn’t hard enough to be a police officer in this overly liberal-slash-blame-the-police atmosphere, now they have to make judgment calls on just who bad guys and good guys are with guns.
But back to the attorney general’s opinion. Just the way ole Andy would always find a solid, common sense solution for seemingly unsolvable problems, the attorney general’s office had some of Aunt Bee’s chicken and came up with a practical solution. She explains, “Ultimately, the confusion created would best be alleviated by additional legislative action.” Meaning: Hey Legislature, pass some more language that is clearly specific.
She goes on to say she does not encourage open carry, throwing in a personal choice, but she declares that indeed it is legal for an Arkansan to walk around with a gun on their hip. But applying that common sense, she further adds, “… any person who carries a handgun should be aware that a law enforcement officer might lawfully inquire into that person’s purpose.” Basically, you shouldn’t cop an attitude because an officer has the right to ask you what you’re up to when you’re openly packin’ heat.
That’s the type of leadership we want from our elected officials. Give the police a chance to do their jobs while allowing members of the public their rights under the laws their elected officials have passed. Just like ole Andy at the end of an episode.
Bill Vickery is a political consultant and appears on Political Plays on KARK on Friday mornings. Listen to him on The Sunday Buzz from 9 a.m. to noon Sundays on 103.7 The Buzz.