Rensselaer Union, Volume 6, Number 20, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 February 1874 — Carrying Concealed Weapons. [ARTICLE]

Carrying Concealed Weapons.

It seems almost useless to protest against the dangerous practice of carrying concealed weapons. Ninetenths of all the sudden homicides of the day are attributed to it, and yet we are constantly surprised to find how prevalent the practice is. It indicates a faulty civilization and a low standard of public morals. Of course, there arc times and places of exposure or apprehended danger, when a man is justifiable in carrying a weapon for purposes of self defense; but in the ordinary course of life these seldom come. Yet thousands of men carry pistols on their persons the greater part of the time, and m any would as soon think of going on the street without their hats as without their weapons. It is not only an illegal but-an infamous and cowardly practice. The man who habitually carries a loaded pistol has murder in his heart, and is liable to commit the overt act at any- time. His victim may not be selected, or it may be any one of half a dozen persons whom he dislikes and expects Sooner or later to have personal altercations with; but he carries the weapon because he anticipates, if he does not court, trouble, and intends when it comes to kill his man. The practice makes men murderers at heart and coarse bravadoes m manner. It turns cowards into blusterers, and mere boys into, hectoring bullies. In every point of view it it demoralizing and cowardly.—- Indianapolis journal. I