Independence eviction, Super Bowl rally shootings: Lax gun laws win, says reader | Opinion

The winners

As I watch the coverage of a third Independence police officer and a process server being escorted to the hospital after an eviction gone wrong Thursday, I’m heartbroken. Discussing the shooting at the Chiefs’ parade, my very pro-gun friend said if gun laws were followed, the juveniles wouldn’t have had weapons. I replied, “What laws? Missouri effectively has no gun laws.” I told him he wins.

He said that those weren’t the only guns in that crowd. Statistically, it is likely thousands there were carrying, and three-quarters of them probably rarely see a firing range. So, I told him he wins.

People carry guns to parades, the shopping mall, grocery stores, clubs, church and concerts. We send our kids to school with no solid assurance they’ll come home. The rest of us stay home. We no longer go to the movies. The mall. Concerts. Or parades. We get up early to do our grocery shopping and errands before the mass of people with guns gets out.

I told him I hoped my kids and grandkids won’t be around when the shooting starts in this gun-filled world he supports.

So, he and others who feel that way about guns win.

- Deborah K. Mall, Kansas City

Handgun overkill

I am retired and live in Kansas City, but I was raised on a farm in Neosho County. As a youngster, I would go into the timber and shoot squirrels and rabbits. Later, several of us would go pheasant hunting using 12-gauge, 16-gauge or .410 shotguns. We had no need for a handgun or bump stock firearm.

The vast majority of murders are carried out not with shotguns, but with handguns. In my opinion, no handguns of any sort should be legal in Missouri. Unfortunately, the NRA and our governor disagree. So maybe it is time for a new governor and courts that are not so free and easy with guns.

Please, no handguns, semiautomatic firearms or bump stocks in Missouri.

- Gene Grillot, Kansas City

Use your voice

Everyone needs to write a letter to the Supreme Court asking the justices to move up the date to hear Donald Trump’s immunity claim. (Feb. 29, KansasCity.com, “Supreme Court sets April arguments over whether Trump can be prosecuted for election interference”) April is too late. Democracy is at stake.

Both sides have presented their cases to multiple courts and judges. They are ready to present. What is the Supreme Court waiting on? This case should be put before any other case on its docket. This issue needs to be resolved by August or September.

It appears that the Supreme Court is favoring Trump with this delay. Write to: Supreme Court of the United States, 1 First Street, NE, Washington, D.C., 20543.

- Karen Bradfield, Lenexa

By my hand

I usually find Joel Mathis’ commentaries interesting and thought-provoking. However, his Feb. 28 contribution saying that teaching cursive writing in school is a waste of time made me sad. (9A, “Teaching cursive writing is a waste of our students’ time”)

I practice the “old-fashioned script” every day. I’m sure I’m not the only person who does.

- Jerry Tracy, Kansas City

Godly values

For if we sing praises to Jesus for saving us but deny assistance to the poor, health care to the sick, wages to the worker, homes to the immigrants and acceptance to the rejected, we are not Christians but selfish.

The love of God is not in us.

- Tom Krause, Kansas City

Celebrate right

I couldn’t agree more with the many comments regarding the excessive drinking by Chiefs players at the Super Bowl parade and rally. (Feb. 21, 10A, “Chiefs players’ drinking at rally sent bad message”) If anyone doubts it was meant as a family-friendly event, just look at how many schools canceled classes for the big day of celebration.

Further indiscretion and lack of judgment were shown after the rally by those who went partying at bars while more than two dozen families gathered at hospitals not knowing whether their loved ones, over half of whom were children, would live or die.

C’mon Chiefs. We hope you get a three-peat and a chance to do it right the next time.

- Jeanne Bates, Leawood

Primary knowledge

I am writing to remind your readers about the upcoming presidential preference primary election in Kansas on March 19.

In Kansas, it is traditionally a function of the state political parties to allocate delegates via caucus to select their presidential nominees. However, in 2023, the Legislature shifted to a state-run presidential preference primary, which has been used in Kansas only in 1980 and 1992.

Both the Republican and Democratic parties have determined that the preference primary will be closed, meaning any unaffiliated voter who wishes to participate will need to declare a party affiliation when checking in at their polling location.

Advance in-person voting began Feb. 28. Voters should check with their county election offices for information about advance in-person voting dates and locations.

For additional information about elections, my office or my work as Kansas Secretary of State, please visit sos.ks.gov and sign up for my newsletter. If my office can be of any service to you, please do not hesitate to contact me.

- Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab, Topeka