Posted on 01/04/2006 9:24:44 AM PST by Diana in Wisconsin
Dear Editor:
A short-tempered motorist recklessly weaving in and out of traffic at 65 mph on the Beltline and simultaneously trying to shoot out the tires of a car that cut him off; a woman startled while walking home at night and impulsively drawing a pistol from her purse and shooting an approaching stranger whose intent was to simply ask for directions; anxious and trigger-happy lunch break vigilantes with a hand in their pocket, flipping on and off the safety of their guns while wishfully scanning fellow McDonald's patrons for even the slightest signs of aggression to justify their "intervention."
These are the types of fears that instantly rush into many people's minds at the mention of current efforts in the Legislature to pass a bill that would permit people to carry a concealed handgun or other weapon in public.
In weighing this controversial concealed carry issue, the potential for these types of dangerous scenarios and tragedies should not be overlooked. I was initially skeptical about the wisdom of turning people loose to travel wherever they please with their hidden guns.
However, an enormous amount of consistent statistical data and independent studies conducted in states with active concealed carry laws show no evidence of any increase in these types of occurrences since the laws were enacted and, in fact, suggest that these programs are generally beneficial in many respects.
The University of Chicago conducted a comprehensive study that showed that major crime had seen substantial drops in states with concealed carry laws. According to the study, this drastic fall in crime stemmed not from increased gun use, but from potential criminals' choices to avoid confrontation with people who could be carrying pistols. In this way, concealed carry laws have proved beneficial, not only for personal protection, but also for discouraging crime in general.
It is a common inference that concealed carry laws will lead to a drastic increase in the number of new guns and inexperienced gun owners in the area. This is simply not true because the vast majority of people who are inclined to apply for a concealed carry permit are already gun enthusiasts with extensive knowledge of firearms and firearm safety. In some states, training courses are mandatory for anyone seeking a permit, regardless of experience.
Wisconsin is among only four states in the nation lacking any sort of program or statute allowing ordinary civilians to carry concealed firearms legally. The other 46 states have all proved that concealed carry programs, if properly coordinated, can be very safe, successful and advantageous.
Wisconsin is without doubt quite capable of creating a program that is as good as if not superior to those already in existence. Considering the current 46-0 success record, I'd say our prospects don't appear half bad.
Forrester Barry, Mount Horeb. WI
From now on, I'm a trigger-happy lunch break vigilante. I'll be hanging out at the local McDonalds if anybody needs me.
Facts are to a liberal what salt is to a garden snail - death.
---what's the schedule on the final passage, veto and override vote, please---?
Don't start nuthin'... ;-)
Oh Dear, The gunfight at burger coral or at least that's what our Gov thought too before she was proven wrong.
Good Luck neighbors,
mc
Liberals *in Jack Nicholson voice* "can't handle the Truth!" about guns, gun owners, gun ownership, and the right to keep and bear arms. You see, the independence of mind and spirit that taking personal responsibility for the protection of oneself and ones loved ones brings to the armed human individual is fundamentally incompatible with the entitlement/dependency/control mechanisms necessary to make their socialist utopias 'function'. Thats why liberals depend on the 'friendly' MSM to not only conceal the real facts about armed citizenry but to INVENT 'big lies' like "saturday night specials", "cop-killer bullets" and "assault weapons" from whole cloth.
Maryland technically has concealed carry but it's a far, far cry from the more modern "shall issue" statutes.
The USA technically has concealed carry in its 2d Amendment. But . . . . .
Facts and reason are worthless with arguing with a liberal.
Bingo Ping!
Inexperienced gun owners tend to be very hesitant to use, or even carry, their guns, so I seriously doubt they contribute significantly to unwarranted gun injuries and deaths. When I'm working on talking sense into a non-gun owner or an owner who doesn't carry due to feeling they don't have enough skill to handle a gun safely in a tense situation, I always point out that they can benefit tremendously just by carrying an unloaded gun, since at least 2/3rds of successful defensive uses of a gun don't involve firing. Then try to find more time and opportunity to practice, and start carrying loaded when after they've built up their skill and confidence level.
Last week, I had a minor customer service problem at my local Home Depot. (an interdepartmental turf battle that I got in the middle of) It resulted in some terse conversation on both their part and mine although it ended with a smile from both of us.
Amazingly, even though I had the means, I never once considered reaching behind my back.
Hmmmmm, could it be that like virtually every CCW holder, I am a responsible gun owner?
I dont do lunch at McDonalds...Culvers maybe...
I prefer doing breakfast at C's in Middleton...
I'll be packin' an English muffin with Xtra Hollandaise sauce.
Many moons ago, I happened to be in a Maryland gun store, and being naive then about the situation, I inquired as to whether Maryland issued CCP's. I can still remember the answer from the gun store clerk, "Yeah, Maryland has a concealed carry permit law, but just try to get one."
They'll vote on it soon when our state government gets back to business. Doyle will more than likely veto it. People are doing the behind the scenes legwork now to shore up votes to over-ride the veto.
If we don't get CC, it's going to be close, and we'll be closer than ever before.
--good luck--hope they include reciprocity---
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