The Gadfly is a series of letters offering commentary on local issues and published in the Warrensburg Gazette.

Every once in a while we read an editorial from the "urban" papers decrying the law allowing citizens to carry concealed firearms (after jumping through all kinds of hoops). Despite the fact that their dire predictions of shoot-outs in the streets have failed to materialize, they'd still like to repeal the law. After the latest court cases, only those citizens in Kansas City and St. Louis remain second class citizens in this area, and even they now have the right to carry concealed within an automobile.

This aspect of the law, allowing anyone qualified to own a firearm to carry it concealed in their car without a license, is perhaps one reason fewer people than expected have applied for a license. However, based on what I've read, at least one candidate for governor would like to repeal this aspect of the law. Does that candidate think that government needs to know who might be capable of protecting themselves? If so, why?

The Missouri ballot will have four political parties represented. The Libertarian Party (my personal choice) and Constitution Party are firmly committed to private ownership of firearms. The Republicans are willing to accept restrictions such as those contained in the current concealed carry law. The Democrats (not locally but at state and national levels) have advocated restrictions on firearms by appearance, mechanics, method and frequency of purchase and even ammunition. Draw your own conclusions.