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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Oct. 12, 1987)
Editorial Florida gun laws need further revision The Florida stale legislature voted to ban public display of guns in most settings last week in a response to public concerns about the open w earing of firearms. This is the first step in redefining a law that currently overrides old gun con trol laws and allows people to carry concealed weapons, unless they have a criminal record. Although it is our constitutional right to bear arms, some restrictions must he applied in terms of lic ensing and restricting concealed weapons for the public's safety. By allowing everyone to carry a gun. publicly or hid* den. it becomes difficult to distinguish the good guys’ from the had guys.' This can cause unnecessary stress for police officers who already have to make potential life-threatening deci sions in weapons-related situations. The old Florida law provided the opportunity for violence with a deadly weapon. It needed revision and should lx- further restrictive, it does not allow people with a criminal record to possess a weapon. But on the same note, it is impossible to chec k on a per son's mental health history because those records are con fidential. This tempts fate and increases the risk of a< cidents without any controlled menchanism to prevent abuse. In a country that Idolizes Ramiro' and a war mentality, the Florida law comes as no surprise. However, it should not he overlooked or accepted. It is ironic to note that guns can be publicly displayed in Florida, but in California, plastic toy guns are banned because police officers may mistake them for real weapons. The differences between these two laws only emphasize the dangers of carrying a weapon and the importance of chang ing the Florida law Lane County gun control achieves needed balance While Florida nun control laws have been opened to allow people to carry concealed weapons. Lane County gun control laws maintain a balance between constitutional rights and public safety. Even though it is legal for a person to carry a weapon in plain sight with some limited restrictions, it becomes illegal when the weapon is hidden from view, said Lieutenant Woodworth of the Lane County Sheriff’s Department. Woodworth issues gun permits and maintains a strict policy of screening applications. Woodworth receives ap proximately 30 applications a week for permits, and reviews the people for past criminal records and traffic violations. In l,ane County it is illegal to carry a concealed weapon without a permit There are exceptions, however — in schools, hospitals and courtrooms to maintain the overall safety of the people in these institutions. Although allowing the open display of a weapon with or without a license — can cause problems. Wood worth says that even in situations without weapons it is dif ficult to judge whether the outcome w ill In* life threatening Nonetheless, lame County has taken appropriate precautions in gun licensing. Restricting gun use is a touchy subject. Regardless, some constraints must In* applied. Oregon Daily Emerald The Oregon Daily Emerald is published Monday through Friday eicept during eiam week and vacations by the Oregon Daily Emerald Publishing Co , at the University of Oregon, Eugene. Oregon, 97403 The Emerald operates independently ol the University with offices on the third floor ol the Erb Memorial Union and is a member ot me Associated Press The Emerald is private properly The unlawful removal or use ot papers is prosecutable by law General Staff Advertising Director Susan Thelen Production Manager Michele Ross Classified Manager Kelli Mason Advertising Sales Ten Boring Gary DeLossa. Tom Leech Catherine lil|a Pick Mart;. Laura McKinney, Heather Mull. Joann Nelson. Julie Paul Barbara Rogers Scott Thorkildson. Joan Wildermuth Assistant to the Publisher Jean Ownbey News and Editorial Oisplay Advertising and Business 686 5511 6863712 686 4343 666551 1 6864381 686 5511 Classified Advertising Letter Perfect Graphic* Production Circulation Editor Managing Editor News Editor Editorial Page Editors Angela Mum* Sports Editor Photo Editor Graphic Design Editor Special issues Editor Entertainment Sports Segment Editor Night Editor Stanley Nelson Scott Maben Eden God bey Steven Hoemsch Aaron Kno* Shu Shing Chan Lorraine Rath Kelly Kortekaas HC Hutto Stanley Nelson Associate Editors Community Stephen Mahei Higher Education Administration Michael Drummond Student Government Activities Carolyn Lamberson General Assignment Entertainment Will Holbert Reporters: Betsy Clayton. Paula Green. Frale de Gujman, Craig Harris, Gary Henley. Andrew LaMar. Jell Morgan. In grid Petersen. Cami Swanson. Kelvin Wee Photographers Sherlyn Biorfcgren. Maria Corvallis. Andy Cripe Dusty Etrel. Derre> Hewitt. John Giustina. Bobbie Lo. Ross Martin. And o Raniert. Dan Wheeler Michael Wilhelm Production Sandra Daller / Ad Coordinator Kelly Ale»andre Ronwin Nicole Ashton. Virginia Baniaga Laura Carhart. Ellen Cross. Eva Cohen. Stephanie Drynan Dolores Ferreo. Shannon Gaither. Lisa Haggerty. Stephanie Holland Deirdre Kelly. Eliot Knight Chris hno>. Jung Lee. Bobbie Lo. Ross Martin. James Mason. Angie Muni*. Ted Shepler. Linda Sperling. Lisa Svanevik. Ingrid White. Mike Wilhelm. Kelly Williams. Serena Williams. X Kang Xie FAjtuh€AUHC> COULD SfYf TUB COUHTB.V &LUOHI . OM MSP'LAPB AWP MBPtCAlO / LOGO— i*wy Ntun knew uvt* THC U i */om.C> no lonocv Sifffez HAiTVKM. P*A<,Tf*$ / '{low. T noistcr I fun .1 HutrtKAm'J //s/COMg TAX£$ CCUlO »e A90iriutD call - /v cc*rr*iWon± ' .tub SrfKflnaufv OB Tue Tealv Uf*V /i STtHPmb pv r<? /at^ vCto« £**.*.' Letters Outside view Well, it has started again I pii ked up the Oct 7 edition of the Oregon Daily Kmerald and the anti-('.reeks had turned in another bias letter full of hearsay. One might ask. "Why didn’t those Phi Dell boys rush to the girl’s aid?" Because we are bar baric ami selfish! We joined the Greek system because we enjoy shouting taunts and jeers when we see people "bleeding profusely." At the time ot tnt* accident our membership was busy plan ttiiiK the evening’s activities: a terrorist act on Saferide, the bombing of PIX', and to top it off, rallying the entire sexist, racist, gang-fighting Creek System into a collective mob - turning them loose on the city of Eugene. Just as Tim was impressed by our gallant and speedy action. I too am impressed by his Im pressed that he can ridicule a system of which he’s not a member. Thanks for trying to save us by atnilishing the infamous Creek system, but no thanks We prefer to suffer from within You can sit and view the system from the outside, mock ing us. perhaps landing a job with the National Enquirer. Who knows? Maybe this Satur day there will l>e a car accident and you can watch as we throw rocks at the injured. Michael |. Klannigan Political science Specify penalties Education has as a basic premise the clear specification of objectives. It also should clearly specify the conse quences of violation of the rules that guide us toward these objectives. Today. 1 saw three hikes im pounded outside Allen Hall. They were fastened to a han drail under a sign that read. "No bicycle parking. Violators will be impounded." The objective of the sign was clear; the consequences were not. No where did it say that im pounding entailed a $30 fine. That is a large sum of money to many students How many people have violated a ‘‘keep off the grass" si^n. or pushed a ■ pull" sign on a grocery store door? If you knew your transgression would have cost you Sill), you would think twice about your actions. Thirty dollars is too much for parking your bike in the wrong place If the University thinks it is not too much, then at least a sign should clearly state precise penalties for our misdeeds Hat Harold Graduate Not guilty This is in response lo the Wednesday. Oct. 7 issue in which Tim Chauran. a jour nalism student, suggests that Greeks should be abolished. He targeted his criticism on the basis of a bicycle wreck in front of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity. However, at the time of the accident, all but two Phi Delts were still at the football game cheering for the Ducks. These two witnessed the whole accident In actuality, the girl biker crashed into the male friend at her side. This man. (presumably the infamous Tim Chauran). then aided the girl to the curb, where they both started laughing hysterically as if intoxicated. Then they hugg ed each other, untangled the bikes and walked away. There was absolutely no ■'taunting” or "jeering” of the young girl by anyone. Yet another example ot the facts being twisted is the issue of "g ingfights." Obviously anothe misconceived impres sion se! on degrading the Greek system The \ do story was blown out ot | Mortinn using lies and drama >.or like “bleeding profus* j" simply to get the reader's attention Clearly, this is merely a case of Tim Chauran misusing his journalism talents for the simple purpose of slandering Greeks xluart Sandor i'i>i Delta Theta Letters Policy The Emerald will attempt to print all letters con taining fair comment on topics of interest to the University community. Letters to the editor must be limited to 250 words, typed, signed and the identification of the writer must be verified when the letter is turned in. The Emerald reserves the right to edit any letter for length or style. Letters to the editor should be turned into the Emerald office. Suite 300, EMU.
