The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1900-10-26
CARRYING CON
CI;ALI$D VI;iPOES.

Carolina. There were 2JO homicides
reported in the State last year, the
majority OF whom were victims CT the
ever ready pistol, and, judging from
the cases Of killing, so far reported
this year, tho probability is that the
number will exceed that figure this
year, and the haHIy pistol has played
Il most prominent part in the drama.
Is there 10 r"nr'y for this evil Of
carrying concenlcl weapons? How
long are our people going to stand
this .@w!es>oc~? Il seems that the
Law against carrying concealed weap-
oHS j. practically dead letter. The
situation is just this: Tie rufitn
! who diSrcgardS the law carries Lis
pistol regardless of consequences, he
violates this law with the same non
| chalance that he would any other,
but the difference between Il violation
OF this and any other Law is that in
| this case the lawabiding citizen, who
wishes to recognize and obey the laws
OF his country, leaves his pistol at
home, thus putting his life in the
hands Of the rnfian, without the
| shadow Of u showing OF defense,
whether the case be one Of robbery
or OF Insult. Thc present law seems
to play into the hands CT the rough
and hot tempered element, and out
jumps the pistol upon the slightest
provocation, and life is sent, all ut.-
| prepared, into eternity. Many times
it happens that the innocent and dis
interested person receives the bullet
intended for another.
Why is it that this law against
carrying concealed weapons is net
more rigidly enforced? Why so few
| convictions for violations? Simply
this: When party is brought to
the bar Of justice, there is an unres-
| sonable amount OF quibbling; circun-
stantial evidence seems to have no
weight, for instance; Il pistol shot
rings out; the attention of dozen
people Is attracted, the smoking pis-
| tol is seen in the hand Of the paryv.
| He is tried for concealed weapons,
no one Of the dozen will swear that he
pulled the pistol from concealed
place on his person, while they will
swear that they saw him few min
uteS before and were in conversation
with him and noticed no pistol, but
they cannot swear that he did not
was not concealed, of coursa or1
mus 1t goes. 1t strikes US that so.,e
s.FIhSeht measures should be aGoot-
ed' ana some examples made fh,.r
would make lasting impression I'm.
on 1he minds of those who will NO.
obey the law.
The Constitution of the r,i.,l
states guarantees the right 10 it's ci,.
lzehs 10 bear arms, but did the fr,,-
erS OF the Constitution intend !. :,
cover the handy and dangerous nooLo,
pistol, that may be carried copceoIal
Ia the pocket, ever ready to be usnJ
upon the slightest proyoca1ion 10
'he serious bodily injury and parh hor,
lhe taking of the life Of fellow beipr9
w cannot believe that to be the cosn ,
ne manner in which the arms oro
20 De carried is not stated and that j.
ne open gap through which the car. +
'ylhg Of the pistol comes,
Ihe State Of Arkansas bos 1,
nat comes about as near restric,f,n \
lie carrying Of pistols as any;l;:nr 4
&c nave heard Of. The only ni.+nI y
'io"ed to be carried is the Rceula- 81
on United States Navy rcyoIvrr g,
% the pistol shall be carried in ,hn -,
ght hand with the muzz!e pojr.i.,,, b.
the ground. a fine OF from $50 ,o in
'oo Is imposed for violation OF ~. tb
w. The law is enforced to tbc T., Il
= ana the statistics show very Sc,
."ii per cent. OF deaths from nist,I ers
Ct wounds. - NIL ot' ".
'ouIh Carolina is certainly il, oa,
piorablc conditions. Ncor,v oml ~
gro has his pistol, and ne Seems. 70 tw,
&c great pride in having it unon hi, =
30" "C ialrs, festivals , and froljcs is
fesul6 there are few negro froIics mil
'hich the handy pistol does NOT son
prominent part, and from ro,,.