The new gun laws have changed the landscape (Wisconsin barf alert)

Milwaukee J-S ^ | 19 apr 2012

[rellimpank]

Over the past six months, Wisconsin adopted a castle doctrine law and became the 49th state to adopt a concealed-carry law. These laws have changed the landscape of the state, and while it is too early to determine what impact the new legislation will have on safety, it is not too early to stress personal responsibility.

People who choose to legally carry concealed weapons should know how to use them. This is not a First Amendment issue. It is a safety issue.

Under Act 35, those seeking a concealed-carry permit do not need to demonstrate that they know how to handle a gun. This is a serious deficiency in a law that was rushed through the Legislature without fully considering its potential impact on law enforcement.

Law enforcement officials and hunters have to undergo hours of training. In the case of police officers, that includes firing hundreds of rounds at a gun range each year to stay sharp.

Ideally, all people who choose to legally carry a firearm will be responsible enough to learn how to handle their weapons. But we believe that the best way to ensure this is to require more training - including hands-on training.

Steve P. Kaminski, who spent 25 years with the Cudahy Police Department and who teaches a weapons safety training course, said he would like to see students demonstrate that they can actually handle a gun before obtaining a permit.

[Paladin2]

"This is not a First Amendment issue."

2nd?

[rellimpank]

-—yattity,yattity, yattity from the publication which is largely ignoring “Fast and Furious”-—

[Paladin2]

"The right to bear arms comes with a price: responsibility. And the state should require that that responsibility be met."

I'd suggest that the right to bear arms comes with a responsibility to have good gun control (accuracy). Practice, practice, practice. BLOAT.

[musicman]

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[E. Pluribus Unum]

According to DOJ crime statistics (http://gunfacts.info/), guns are used by private citizens 2.5 million times per year to prevent violent crimes like rape, robbery, home invasion, carjacking, etc., 99% of the time without a shot being fired, and considering that for every black person murdered by a white person, thirty-nine white people are murdered by blacks, non-Eric Holder's people need all the help they can get.

[Myrddin]

Hundreds of rounds PER YEAR? I was firing hundreds of rounds PER WEEK before the price of ammo went through the roof. Understanding how to shoot is a bit like riding a bike. The principles don't change. What does change is the muscle memory and reaction time. It's a perishable skill that requires practice to retain a top level of performance.

I'm wary of allowing government to place a "performance" barrier to keep and bear arms. All they need to do is make the facilities and testers inaccessible to block access to concealed carry.

[EQAndyBuzz]

Here is my fear. 49 states have adopted concealed carry laws. When all 50 states have it, wouldn’t it be that much easier for someone like Obama by fiat to decree that concealing a weapon is illegal?

Just sayin. This has been way too easy on our part.

[Yashcheritsiy]

This is not a First Amendment issue

He's right. It's a 2nd amendment issue.

[Myrddin]

Obama does something unconstitutional by fiat nearly every day. We just don't pay attention, nor does the press. You won't know until the feds grab you. You will have to deal with "ignorance of the law is no excuse". There are so many on the books, that we probably violate a few every day. It doesn't matter until you are in the grasp and notice of law enforcement.

[marktwain]

Here is my fear. 49 states have adopted concealed carry laws. When all 50 states have it, wouldn’t it be that much easier for someone like Obama by fiat to decree that concealing a weapon is illegal?

No. It would have been much easier when only a few states had it. Now any would be Mao, Stalin, or Hitler has to worry about angering several million people, all of whom have relatives and friends.

[TurboZamboni]

the writer is an idiot and therefore needs their 1st Amendment right revoked.

[TurboZamboni]

Steve P. Kaminski, who spent 25 years with the Cudahy Police Department and who teaches a weapons safety training course, said he would like to see students demonstrate that they can actually handle a gun before obtaining a permit.

good for you Stevie. And I'd like to see all people demonstrate they've read and understand the Constitution before voting. (Or maybe at least pay taxes and/or know how to read.)

[NRA1995]

"This is not a First Amendment issue."

The utter stupidity of the liberal media never ceases to amaze me.

[Trailerpark Badass]

With the number of guns in this country, with the number of rounds of ammunition fired per year in recreational shooting, the tiny number of accidental shooting injuries/deaths indicates pretty clearly that firearms are quite simple and safe to operate.

Only govt "professionals" think you need a class to keep from shooting yourself.

[afraidfortherepublic]

Wisconsin Gun Law ping

FReep Mail me if you want on, or off, this Wisconsin interest ping list.

[Last Dakotan]

Steve P. Kaminski, who spent 25 years with the Cudahy Police Department and who teaches a weapons safety training course, said he would like to see students demonstrate that they can actually handle a gun before obtaining a permit.

And pay money to Steve P. Kaminski.

[elmorgan]

Steve, how many puppies made it through the weapons training course?

[Pollster1]

Hundreds of rounds PER YEAR? I was firing hundreds of rounds PER WEEK before the price of ammo went through the roof. Understanding how to shoot is a bit like riding a bike. The principles don't change. What does change is the muscle memory and reaction time. It's a perishable skill that requires practice to retain a top level of performance.

I know what you mean. I decided it was worth the price for a good air pistol and a good air rifle, and 90% of my practice is done with them. The other 10% is necessary also, but I can stay proficient for a fraction of the cost, and high-quality air guns are a lot of fun indoors - without worrying about the commute time, the weather or the time of day.

[Myrddin]

You can retain most of the marksmanship skills with the lowly .22LR. I was shooting 400 rds of 38SPL weekly and reloading it all on Sunday nights. A box of 500 bullets cost about $30. A pound of powder $20. A "box" of 1000 primers $20. Brass lasts 10 to 15 cycles. Enough time for another order from Midway or a purchase at a gun show.