Civil Rights
I compare the right to open carry and the right to concealed carry to the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s and 1970s. The Constitution, particularly after the 14th Amendment, made it clear that Black people could vote and own firearms, but yet there was Selma Alabama and places like it - and who could forget those folks wearing those sheets. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. made eloquent speeches, but a modicum of equality under the law for blacks took decades.
The Nine Wise Ones (at least 5 of them) have affirmed the right to own firearms, for the lawful purpose of protecting one's person, family, and dwelling, is a Civil Right. SCOTUS, in Heller v DC and McDonald v Chicago, did not mention carry methods, but I am sure there will be a case soon. Fortunately, none of the 4 conservatives or Justice Kennedy appear to be retiring anytime soon. For historical perspective, Dr. King's speeches were ignored by many in this country, but the perseverance of both Blacks and Whites insured continued progress toward the goal of true equality under the law. This process had some elements in the Congress (Civil Rights Act) and the Courts, but it was the perseverance of many who made the difference. My former neighbors, you will get much further taking baby steps toward full equality (Constitutional Carry) than simply demanding it outright and expecting it to happen. Go ahead and demand full accountability, but do not fight battles that you will lose and in doing so set the cause back. Persevere, and win the hearts and minds of the anti-gun nuts.
Teach your neighbors the truth about what happens in CCW States. There are no Wild West Shootouts among neighbors. Indeed, an armed society is a polite society. Most people in Utah are very polite, and it is not because they are Mormon.
Teach them that when seconds count, the Police are minutes away. Teach them that restrictive gun laws do not stop criminals; indeed the opposite happens. Teach them that CCW permit holders become super law abiding citizens (that is actually what happens here - you can tell the permit holders, they screw up traffic on the freeway by going the speed limit).
While I live in Utah now, I grew up in Janesville, Wisconsin. I am delighted with the progress to date in WI. When I was younger, open carry was technically legal, but anyone who complained or was frightened resulted in the person carrying being cited for misdemeanor disorderly conduct. Today, the trend is different and that is progress.
I wish to remind my former neighbors that while AK, VT, and AZ may have Constitutional Carry, AK and AZ offer permits anyway. This is so that their citizens can protect their families and themselves when traveling outside their State. My former neighbors, you are actually in much better shape than many in the USA. New York and New Jersey issue CCW permits, but they are "may issue" States and getting one is nearly impossible. Same with Kommiefornia. And, NY and NJ are not open carry tolerant.
Encourage your State legislators to pass concealed carry. Discourage them from very stringent requirements and especially from having reciprocity with "resident only" permits. This will only draw retaliation from States that do not restrict non-resident permits or who themselves issue non-resident permits. Remind them that you will not be appreciative of any restriction that draws the ire of other States and in doing so affects your ability to protect yourself, your family, and your property while traveling. Once Wisconsin has a CCW permit, you still may need out-of-state non-resident permits to be free to travel most of the country while exercising your Civil Right to protect yourself, your family, and your possessions.
Then, get the Wisconsin Legislature to pass a "Castle Doctrine" policy. This will make it very clear to potential felons that if they are injured while attempting to murder you, your spouse, and your children, they have no civil tort recourse.
I have heard it said that open carry is more of a deterrent to bad guys than concealed carry. I am not going to attack that belief, but my experience here in a strong concealed carry State differs. Here in Utah, the bad guys think twice, then again, and then again, before attacking anyone who is not obviously terrified. That can get you dead out here in the West.
I wish you all the best of luck. If Wisconsin gets a Concealed Carry law and that law allows non-resident permits, I will fly back and be first in line to get one. Then, I will put it into my wallet next to my Utah, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Florida permits.
Jim