Lawrence Journal-World opinion section

To the editor:

Recently my child and I visited a Lawrence specialty store. While heading home, I was asked, “Mommy, why did that customer have a gun in his holster?”

I hadn’t seen any guns in the store, so I asked some questions. I followed up with management and voiced my concerns.

Then I spoke with fellow parents to understand how they would feel if they were shopping, eating or otherwise spending family time in Lawrence — with a gun staring back at them. None of us could come up with one reason why a private citizen would need to display a gun in a public place where children and families congregate. Furthermore, living in a state where a private citizen (who is not lawfully prohibited from owning a firearm) can do so without any training or licensing frightens us.

I encourage residents who share my concerns to voice them to business owners and managers. The Legislature has created sweeping gun laws that affect the character of our community. The reality of firearms in Kansas University buildings next year confounds me.

Private business owners have the ability to post attorney general-approved signs banning firearms. If a gun-toting customer is asked to leave and doesn’t comply, he can be charged with trespassing. While our governor and legislators have taken local control over gun laws away from us, we can still lobby local businesses and choose to spend our money where we feel safe and welcome.