Here is the e-mail I sent to Sen Wanggaard.
Dear Senator Wanggaard,
My name is Brian XXXXXXX, a proficient hand gun owner and an advid Open Carrier here in the State of Wisconsin! I reside specifically in Green Bay for the last 16 years since I moved away from Milwaukee, for a variety of reasons.
Mainly because of the crime, I wanted a smaller City to raise a Family, less Taxes, a small town feeling. That was good for the first 10 or so years, until I noticed the “culture” shift. Smaller factions (pockets) of “wana be” hard nosers that thought it would be easier “up north”.
There is really no specific Nationality that seems to be the issue, we have a great Community here, strong ties to local businesses, Churches and so on. We do have crime here, murders, assaults, robberies, rape and so forth. Just because I moved 120 miles away from a City that has crime issues did not mean I could escape it. Moreover, I feel a bit safer here, I can for the most part trust my neighbors. I am the Neighborhood Watch, I am pretty much the most Pro-Active person in my neighborhood. Please do not mis understand me, I am no John Wayne, more like and individual that takes his own/family safety and security seriously, my Wife and Daughter are my life!
More to the point of this e-mail, I realize that Wisconsin will eventually come to it’s senses, we already have Article I Section 25 of the Wisconsin State Constitution. This fact then in turn begs the question, if we already have No Permit carry for firearms, then why change it? Other than Repeal restrictive Hand Gun Laws that are on the books in the State Statues and Department of Natural Resources. I believe in Our Rights Afforded to Us by Our Fore Fathers says it all, They are Rights! So, issuing a permit for the Lawful carrying of a firearm and training? This is no good. Just another Government intrusion and trampling of/on our Rights.
To operate a motor vehicle in Wisconsin is a privilege, (the Auto-Mobile was not yet invented when The Bill of Rights and The Constitution were penned) imposing a standard is acceptable.
Now with that being said, Training/Permitting for the Lawful use/possession of a firearm will be a slap in the face of us Wisconsinites! We already have spoken when Article I Section 25 was Voted in/adopted, something to the tune of 79% of the fine people of the Great State of Wisconsin.
If, for some unacceptable reason, Training/Permitting for the already Lawful purpose of a hand gun possession is introduced, I suggest that you and your Constituent’s make some proposal such as, if an individual has been or is currently in the US Military, those Service Members SHOULD receive a pass on the training, fee’s and permits. Those Men and Women of the Armed Services have had their fair share weapons training, on a staggering variety of weapons systems, from a .50 caliber all the way to a 9mm hand gun. This too would be a slap in the face, those Service Members are entitled.
Carrying a fire arm is a Right, not to be infringed upon by the Government. I know a great many arguments arise from this very issue, that is great, 1st Amendment Right. So is the preceding Right, I do not dissuade a discussion on either of these Rights, I respect them equally!
I carry a fire arm for a variety of reasons, mainly, Law Enforcement Officers are not Lawfully required to protect me or my Family and the most obvious one, it is my Right. I care nothing about material objects, I pay insurance for the replacement of my material goods. If a life threatening situation ever arises (I pray that it does not) where I would have no other means to flee or escape to seek safety, then and ONLY then will I have no other choice. I take the carrying of a fire arm very seriously, I am proficient and knowledgeable in it’s use, handling and operation.
I believe that you will take the time to consider some of the valid points here, following the Rights of the People, not the voice of the people.
Respectfully
Brian