Thanking our telecommunicators

NEW MADRID, Mo. —Over the last month, we have investigated two separate incidents where prohibited purchasers who live in the city of New Madrid have attempted to buy a gun from a licensed gun dealer in another jurisdiction.

In one instance the prospective buyer had a previous conviction for domestic assault; in the other, the man had previously been found to be mentally incompetent. In both cases, the buyers were denied after they failed their respective background checks.

While neither of the men physically got a gun into their possession, simply completing a background check form to apply for gun ownership when you are prohibited is against federal law. Both cases have been turned over to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

April 14-20 is National Telecommunicators Week and during this week we celebrate our most unappreciated public safety employees.

Our 911 dispatchers handle hundreds of 911 calls a month and frequently are on the leading edge of every major emergency in New Madrid County. They talk to callers who are sometimes having the worst days of their lives, and they have to handle those types of situations with professionalism and efficiency.

We are fortunate to have a great group of eight telecommunicators and they should be appreciated every day.