The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1901-01-25
CARRYING CON
CEALED WEAPONS.
From Tie Southern Industrial News }

II
"During the asst two months, the
| UNION TINES, OF Union, S, c.. which,
| by the way, is one of our best and
most valued exchanges, has been en-.
| gagged in - crusade against what is
familiar!y known as the pistol toting
habit or to be more exact, it has
been engaged in an effort to secure
| the enforcement of the laws against
| such practice. In this it has been
ably seconded by other papers, both
| in its own and other States, all agree
| ing on the nature and prevalence of
the evil, but none Of them separately,
nor all collectively, being aJle to
point out n remedy. In it's first
article on the subject, the TIMES con-
fessed to some dubiety as To the con-
stitutionality of the law against car
| rying concealed weapons, inasmuch
as the right to keep and bear arms
is guaranteed by that venerable in
strument which was derided by Thad
SteverS "a a 'musty piece of old
parchment but seemed TO think that
this should not weigh against the en-
forcement of the law as long as it is
on the statute books; and in this the
TINES is probably correct. But
should the law be on the statute
books? To our mind, it has always
been plain that all such laws are in
contravention OF the plain wording Of
the second amendment to the Con-
stitution Of the United States, which
declares that the right Of the people
to keep and bear arms shall not be
infringed.' Note that the bearing
Of arms by the people is recognized
as right something which was
theirs naturally, not something which
had been conferred upon them by
law, and which could therefore be
abrogated by law. The Constitution
makes no pretence of comforting this
right, but simply recognizes it a. cX-
istenv. Note also that it is provi led
that this right (Which could not be
abrogated by law, being inherenD
shall rot even be 'infrinSed' Now
when any attempt is made to limit
the exercise of II right, or hedge il
about with provisions and conditions,
it is to that extent 'infrinyed.' 1t is
claimed that the States, under their
police powers, can regulate the
method Of keeping and bearing arms
within their respective borders, but
to us, it is, and always has been. APP
parent that ii the State can legally
provide that q man shall carry his
weapon in sight, it can also provide
that he shall carry it in his hand, or
on his head, o: in aNy tthcr impoS-
sible manner. In other words, any
law which makes difficult or irkSoue
the exercise Of n right, to hat extent
infringes that right.
And the great reason why ii is 50
difficult to enforce these laws is that
the people instinctively feel that
their natural, inherent rights arc
being invaded and they resent Il. 1t
is recognized fact that this instinct
i've resentment Of the invasion OF
what they consider their natural
rights is mainly responsible for The
Illicit distilliation Of spirits in the
mountain districts and the same feel
ing pervades all classes Of freemen
when they consider that their iuyio-
liable rights are being infringed.
Again, is it eXpedient to retain on
the statute books law which is so
palpably incapable Of enforcement?
When the people know that plain
statute is daily and hourly being vio-
lated without punishment being
meted out, it begets contempt, not
only for that particular statute, but
for all others, and the loss of respect
for law is one Of the greatest calami-
ties which could befall pcople-es-
pecially a free people. Laws against
bearing arms are not supported by
public opinion, and no law, not so
supported, can be enforced A law
which cannot be enforced is detri-
ment to the well-being Of the com
munity and should be repealed.
Again there is more serious CON
ment of the people toward the law
and the impossblity Of enforcing it.
A good citizen, who respects the law,
Notwithstanding his feeling that he
is being buncoed out of portion Of
his rights; the law forbids that he
carry a pistol in his pocket, so he
leaves it at home. The tough citizen,
on the contrary, cares nothing for
the sanctity Of the law and only
obeys it when compelled TO do 50.
He takes his chances in carrying his
pistol because he needs it in his
business He is aware, however,
that the good citizen will not violate
the law by going armed, SO that when
they meet, the latter is at his mercy.
Is not this travesty on that a.gis Of
justice and protection which tile law
is supposed to extend over those for
whose benefit it is made? If law
cannot be made to apply (practicaliy)
to all classes alike, it should be re.