As the Chanute Tribune points out, “The concealed-carry gun people are out to push Kansans into joining their gang again this year. They like to tout the fact that Kansas is one of only five states that forbids citizens to carry a hidden gun. … If advocates’ best argument is that ‘everybody does it,’ then Kansas doesn’t need such a law.”

Repeatedly, majority opinion in the state seems opposed to concealed-carry. It will be a major surprise if such a measure is approved in 2004. In the overall picture, that is good. We need not return to a “Wild West” mentality in which would-be Clint Eastwoods and John Waynes go around trying to right alleged wrongs with firearms.

But recent events in and around the area tend to lend support to those who think they should be able to have some “heat” handy for emergencies, such as carjackings, muggings and business and residential robberies.

Consider the recent rash of robberies and assaults of people in Kansas City area taverns and convenience stores. Innocent people have been victimized and badly injured while doing nothing whatever to attract such treatment. Consider, too, that in many larger communities, criminals target sizable social gatherings for holdups and assaults. Imagine needing a security force for a holiday party, as was the case at a number of gatherings in Kansas City, Houston and Dallas last year.

In Kansas City, one victimized bar operator made it clear he was going to arm himself and some of his people and be ready for any future intrusions. He was not the least bit apologetic in announcing that. Convenience store people are leaning toward training and arming their help, even though one armed man who responded to an attack was badly hurt before he could retaliate against three hoodlums.

Sadly, our social conditions are such that many people who once might have been appalled at the prospect of carrying weapons now are less opposed. Not that they might arm themselves, but they do understand the feelings of some who might.

Although an across-the-board approval of a concealed-carry law may not be wise, many Kansans are increasingly sympathetic to those who arm themselves and are prepared to cause harm if they, their families or their property are endangered.

It is going to take some drastic changes to alter the current troublesome trend. There is a good chance a number of people — both criminals and, far worse, innocent, law-abiding people — may be hurt or killed in the process.