The Hutchinson News, on concealed carry legislation:

Randy McEwen made his point. McEwen openly carried an unloaded 12-gauge automatic shotgun into a legislative forum in the chapel at Wesley Towers to demonstrate his opposition to concealed carry legislation. …

Three men helping conduct the forum – William “Buck” Lyle, retired district judge; Ray Vernon, president and CEO of Wesley Towers; and Jon Daveline, president of the Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce – all moved into positions behind McEwen.

Lyle approached the local attorney and 2004 Democratic candidate for Reno County magistrate judge.

“You’re making a lot of people nervous with this,” Lyle said to McEwen.

“I know,” McEwen admitted, holding the shotgun butt flat on the carpeted floor and the barrel pointing straight into the air. …

But at least three legislators missed the point of McEwen’s real-life demonstration. They dismissed the safety risks of allowing citizens to carry more weapons on our streets. Reps. Jan Pauls, D-Hutchinson, and Bob Bethell, R-Alden, restated their support of concealed carry legislation. Sen. Terry Bruce, R-Hutchinson, quoted a Department of Justice study and explained his support of a right-to-carry bill.

Of course, the three lawmakers neglected to mention that the bill they favor bans citizens from carrying concealed weapons into state government buildings – including the security guard-protected Kansas Statehouse.

Most other buildings and offices in the Sunflower State offer no such security measures. Thus, citizens holding right-to-carry permits would face few, if any, obstacles in attempting to secret their hidden handguns into schools, colleges, day-care centers, bars, sporting events and any other location specifically banning the practice. …

The Kansas City Star, on teenage drivers:

Six months after turning 14, a Kansas teenager can drive with no restrictions.

Only one other state – North Dakota – is so permissive. Only in those two states can a typical ninth-grade student get behind the wheel any time of the day or night. Young adolescents can even transport carloads of friends.

Kansas has seen tragedies involving young teenage drivers, and it’s courting more such tragedies. Legislators could reduce risks dramatically by raising the driving age and placing more restrictions on novice drivers.

Rep. Tom Burroughs of Kansas City, Kan., introduced a bill with those improvements last session but wasn’t granted so much as a hearing. Burroughs is trying again this year. Concerned Kansans should contact their legislators to support the reforms. …

Burroughs’ bill allows teens to obtain learner’s permits at age 15, and a restricted driver’s license at 16. Drivers with restricted licenses could drive to and from school and a job – or anywhere if accompanied by an adult with a valid license. They could not chauffeur another minor, other than siblings.

The restrictions would be in place until a teenager turns 18 or obtains a high school diploma or GED certificate. The bill contains special provisions for teenagers who live and work on farms.

Burroughs’ proposals are not revolutionary. Most states have passed graduated driver’s license laws in recent years, and many have raised the minimum ages at which teenagers can obtain permits.

A wealth of studies about the hazards of teenage driving makes Kansas lawmakers look like overly indulgent parents.

Politicians have been eager to burnish their family friendly credentials. What could be more family friendly than protecting teen drivers and their passengers?