To the editor:

Our Kansas legislators have passed a law (over our governor’s veto) to carry handguns into bars. How outrageous do these representatives have to get before we realize we are being governed by primitive, macho, NRA puppets?

This unbelievable law will cost the taxpayers in the state of Kansas millions, if not billions, of dollars. Every time an irresponsible drunk gets angry, pulls his gun and shoots some friend or stranger who said the wrong thing at the wrong time, we will go through a legal process that is impossible to describe.

I have worked in corrections most of my life and I have talked to the tearful defendants the next morning. They usually say they didn’t mean to do it, and they don’t understand why they are in jail. At this point I have to tell them I have good news and bad news. The bad news is that they will have the next 10 years to life in prison to figure out why they are in jail. The good news is that other than losing their freedom they won’t have much to worry about. The Kansas taxpayers will be paying for their court costs, housing, food, clothing, medical, dental and mental health expenses for most of the remainder of their life.

If Kansans are going to rejoin civilized humanity in this 21st century, thinking Republicans and Democrats must elect responsible representatives who understand that bars and guns are not a good mix.

E. Kent Hayes,

Lawrence