| I read about a small town in Kansas that passed a | | | | (2) It becomes very difficult for one party to |
| law in 2003 requiring every household to have a | | | | exploit a ploy without being detected and |
| gun. You read that right. Consistent with the | | | | corrected. |
| Constitution, the municipality didn't permit people | | | | (3) It slows the arms race by taking the "nukes" |
| to possess their six-shooters and Berettas. It | | | | of impulsiveness and impatience, out of the |
| compelled them. | | | | equation. |
| Of course, the question that's burning in your mind | | | | (4) It enables participants to focus on deal points |
| is, "Why?" | | | | instead of steal points. |
| "To fight crime, " is the counter-intuitive rationale. | | | | (5) It teaches people that there are many ways |
| You've heard the notion, "When guns are | | | | to agree, if participants are civil. |
| outlawed only outlaws will have guns," haven't | | | | When it becomes clear to both sides in a |
| you? Well, this ordinance says when everyone is | | | | negotiation that they are savvy, many of the |
| locked-and-loaded bad guys will be very reluctant | | | | gimmicks, ploys, and dirty tricks are discouraged. |
| to draw their weapons, at least within city limits. | | | | This is helpful all around, because it reinforces the |
| If they do, they'll be met with an equal, if not | | | | serious business purpose that is to be served |
| show-stopping counterforce. | | | | through well-informed bargaining. |
| I look at negotiation training in much the same | | | | How did that law fare, the one requiring average |
| way. Here are five reasons everyone should have | | | | townsfolk to strut like Wyatt Earp? |
| it: | | | | I don't think it was ever enforced--certainly not at |
| (1) It levels the playing field when it comes to | | | | gunpoint! |
| skills and knowledge. | | | | |