'Replica' in jeep next to Kobach stunned onlookers at Shawnee parade. City apologizes.

[Judi Lynn]

Kris Kobach rode in a jeep Saturday morning during the Old Shawnee Day Parade, with a large gun mounted in back. Britt Wicklund Courtesy photo

BY HUNTER WOODALL AND MIKE HENDRICKS

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June 02, 2018 02:52 PM
Updated June 02, 2018 08:12 PM

Kris Kobach made his way through a parade in Johnson County Saturday morning, waving from an American flag colored jeep with a large gun mounted in back.

The city of Shawnee later issued an apology for Kobach's display.

The sight of Kobach, a Republican candidate for Kansas governor, in the vehicle at the Old Shawnee Days parade stunned some onlookers and quickly sparked criticism on social media.

“It was pretty shocking," said pastor Johnny Lewis of Shawnee Community Christian Church. "There were audible gasps from the folks we were sitting by.”

More:
http://www.kansascity.com/news/article212408904.html

[Sneederbunk]

1. Vote for me or else.

[RKP5637]

2. ASSHOLE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! n/t

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

3. Like the old saying goes... a picture is worth a thousand words.

[procon]

4. How is is legal for a large military weapon like that to be in civilian hands?

I can understand boys and their toys, and if it was just a non-working stage prop, or the real deal that was permanently rendered non operational for display purposes only, fine, go get a permit or a license first.

The public sees a big gun like that and has no way of knowing if it's loaded and if the nutter who hauled it to a family parade venue will open fire on the crowd. People had every right criticize Kobach for his lack of judgement.

[rickford66]

5. It's a replica

But, a real weapon, working or not, has to have an ATF license holder to have custody. We used real, inoperative 50 cals on our helicopter gunship simulators. The license holder had to be with us when they were out of the safe. The firing pins were stored separately. The newer sims have replicas and no license is required.

[procon]

7. And how does the public know any of that?

Is there a big banner proceeding the arrival of the gun assuring families that its just a replica and can't be used? That was the jist of the criticism, no one knew if that gun was safe, only that it was accompanied by a pro-gun politician who advocates for unlimited gun sales. It scared people.

[rickford66]

10. Sorry. I was only commenting on requiring a license for even an inoperable weapon.

Maybe paint the tip red like the toy guns, but unfortunately, even the police don't know what that means. But I agree with you. It had no place in he parade. And it it was displayed like an ISIS terrorist vehicle.

[Igel]

6. Get a license for a prop.

That's sort of like saying if a kid has an imitation handgun, he should have a license for it and be trained in how to respond if a police man, for instance, sees him with it and might think about shooting him.

I guess the difference is that nobody seriously mounts an automatic rifle to a jeep and parades it through the streets. Common sense seems to handle that. At least in this country. (They've been called "technicals" in other theatres of operation.)

[procon]

8. Except that people did complain, and they did criticize bringing a weapon

intended to kill people to a family friendly event. The public was rightly concerned about the mindset of anyone who thought that was an appropriate at a parade and the city was forced to later make an apology for Kobach's display.

"We want to apologize for the concern and frustration involved with Mr. Kris Kobach's parade entry at the Old Shawnee Days Parade on Saturday, June 2, 2018. In no way does this or any parade entry or float directly reflect the views and values of the City, the Old Shawnee Days Board or the Old Shawnee Days Society.

"Again, we apologize and understand the concern this caused. We have reached out to Mr. Kobach's media contact in an effort to get answers. Please know that the safety of our residents is always our highest priority and we apologize if this made anyone feel unsafe or unsettled. We will be taking steps in the future to try to ensure something similar does not happen again."

[Faux pas]

9. Kickin'

[beachbum bob]

11. Did not go over well from what I heard from brother who had friends

there

[Midnight Writer]

12. You win, Kris. Yours is bigger than mine.