Workers at the Lawrence Humane Society animal shelter in Kansas have started arming themselves under that state's concealed carry laws.
The impetus for ensuring workers are able to defend themselves were numerous violent attacks on the workers in past years. This shelter is also responsible for investigating claims of animal cruelty and workers have been attacked during or after pet confiscations resulting from the investigations.
“We’re dealing with people that might not be in the best position in their lives and we might have to take their animals, or we might have to ask them questions that would make them uncomfortable and we just want to make sure that we’re protected,” said investigator Kayse Aschenbrenner.
The director of the clinic said that incidents in the past have included threats with guns and baseball bats as subjects of the complaints attempt to defend or recover their animals. Midge Grinstead, the shelter's director, also reported being threatened at her home.
“Just for safety’s sake, it’s nice to be there and have a concealed weapon,” said Mark Grinstead, the director’s husband who also works at the shelter. “It’s never visible; it’s just there, just in case.”
That echoes the sentiments of most armed citizens and the peace of mind that comes from knowing that if you were to be attacked you'd have the tools to defend yourself .
In other news, the former mayor of East Cleveland, Mayor Eric Brewer, allegedly took a police issued handgun with him after leaving office. According to new Mayor Gary Norton, Brewer did not receive the proper approval or fill out the necessary paperwork to keep the gun.
"We have a citizen who has a firearm that belongs to East Cleveland Police. He is not authorized to have that firearm. I need it back. I hope he's smart enough to give it back," Norton said.
I can't help but wonder if they'd wait to see if a regular citizen was "smart enough" to return what could now be classified as a stolen firearm. I also wonder if the "necessary paperwork" includes a background check or if this is an example of the "former mayor loophole".
Comments
Humane society workers - never thought about that one. They certainly do have a right to protect themselves.
As for the former East Cleveland Mayor... it's an accessory! Sorry, couldn't resist that one!
I'm a fervent defender of 2A rights, both open carry and concealed. However, when you give a private citizen the authority to conduct a warrantless search, and then allow them to carry a firearm in the execution of that authority, it begins to get a little scary. These are employees of a private organization, and as such they are not bound by the same rules that constrain the actions of a law enforcement officer. This kind of unchecked authority, combined with potential deadly force is a mistake. As supporters of 2A rights, we need to know where to draw the line.
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