"Kansas is a different state today than it was just 20 days ago"

At least it is as related to concealed carry.

Working at the shoe store, we deal with the possibility of robbery. Fortunately, I did not have to experience the holdup at the store during the 2005 holiday season. Yet it is still recent enough to continue to effect my manager's behavior and job performance.

Earlier this week, we had a discussion as to whether we should display the "no guns allowed" placard. This led us to the debate of whether permitted gun owners are just as welcome a customer as the unarmed shoplifter (or potential shoplifter, for the PC readers).

On the whole, I'm a pretty liberal, "love everybody, man" hippie when it comes to gun control. However, should someone present a physical threat to me or those I love, for their own gain and my loss... then I have no qualms whatsoever in seeing them maimed for their transgression. It's even better if I'm able to lay the smackdown on them myself.

Of course, I realize wishing them all the way dead would ding my karma no small bit... but they would have put the kibosh on that themselves should they decide they can disrupt my world.

Anyway... long story finally getting back on topic-- I was happy to read in this article today:

Payco Phillips 66 owner Dean Yee was working when two youths entered. One pointed a gun at Yee, 39, and demanded money. Yee hesitated, and the youth demanded money a second time while continuing to point the gun at him, Gish said.

Meanwhile, Gish said, store customer Michael Mah, 57, drew a handgun and told the would-be robber to drop his weapon. Mah then shot the man once.

The shooter has an Oklahoma permit to carry a concealed weapon. Gish said Kansas Attorney General Paul Morrison concluded this month that Kansas will accept the validity of concealed-carry permits issued in 22 other states, including Oklahoma, that require permit owners to meet requirements similar to those mandated by the state of Kansas.

Gish said the gun used by the would-be robber was found to be stolen.

He said the second teenager fled and was last seen running south on S.W. Randolph. Police haven't arrested that youth, who was described as a Hispanic male about 18 years of age who wore a black coat, white T-shirt, blue jeans and a red do-rag.

Kansas Sen. Phil Journey, R-Haysville and author of the law that took effect Jan. 1 allowing the issuance of concealed-carry permits, said the incident proves permit holders are capable of using lawful and deadly force in a reasonable way to protect other individuals.

"Hopefully this will put other criminals and thugs on notice that Kansas is a different state today than it was just 20 days ago," Journey said Monday.

And the irony of a Haysville (Wichita suburb) legislator behind the law is not lost on me!