XD40-OD
Campaign Veteran
Not sure if this was shared, but as an Alum., it gained my attention.
http://www.uwmpost.com/2011/09/19/9mm-is-faster-than-9-1-1/
Wisconsin has finally adopted concealed carry into law is great news, indeed – and long over-due. The Right to Carry movement has made great strides in the last two decades. In 1986, only Vermont offered restriction-free concealed carry while fifteen states prohibited concealed carry entirely. By the end of 2011, Illinois will be the only remaining state with a total ban on concealed carry, while 37 states (including Wisconsin) are defined as “shall-issue,” meaning their government must issue permits to anyone who meets the requirements.
As each state declared its intentions to allow concealed carry, the decision was met with criticism, concern and more than a little fear-mongering. A common argument has been that allowing citizens to arm themselves with guns would turn a simple dispute over a parking spot into a Wild West shootout. Not only has that fear proven groundless, a study conducted by the Texas Department of Public Safety confirmed that a concealed carry permit-holder is fourteen times less likely to commit a crime than any other citizen.
Similar arguments have been made in regards to allowing guns on and around university grounds. Concerns have been raised that allowing guns on our campus would turn debates into a gunfight or put a stopper in open discussions altogether. At schools across the country where guns have long been permitted, this has proven to be a non-issue – even in Utah where students and faculty may openly carry a weapon without need of a permit.
While Wisconsin’s ban on concealed carry has long denied law-abiding citizens the right to defend themselves, it does not impose restrictions on criminals who illegally possess weapons to inflict harm. Laws do not prevent crime – they only serve as a deterrent and an outline for punishment after the crime has already been committed. The same is true on our campus and in the classroom. Restricting guns from Virginia Tech classrooms did not and cannot prevent a massacre, but one legally-armed student could have made a difference, if only the law were altered.
While Wisconsin’s new concealed carry law will allow permit-holders to carry on campus grounds and in any building that is not otherwise posted, we at UW-Milwaukee may face restrictions owing to Hartford University’s presence within our campus. Current federal law prohibits the possession of firearms within 1,000 feet of school grounds, succinctly encompassing all, or most of, our campus. As such, even if weapons are allowed within our buildings, most students would be unable to legally carry them while walking to and from their homes to campus.
In the event of either a school zone or building restriction remaining in effect beyond November 1, I believe it entirely reasonable and prudent that UWM provide controlled lockers for students who wish to carry prior to reaching campus grounds. Such lockers are already in place at six UW schools, including Madison and Stevens Point, where they are monitored by campus police.
If I had one critique to make of Wisconsin’s new law, it would be that individuals are not required to demonstrate competency with a firearm prior to being issued a permit – only proof that they attended classroom instruction. To those who intend to carry a weapon, whether it’s a handgun, a Taser or mace, I strongly encourage you to practice with it regularly and be well acquainted with its safe and proper use. It’s the responsible thing to do and an enjoyable way to spend an afternoon.
My experience from having been a student there, is that it, as well as the bulk of its students, is very liberal and anti-gun. I find the comments to the article to follow my opinion. As it is a new article, I would love for this board to post comments, to educate those who read the article.
http://www.uwmpost.com/2011/09/19/9mm-is-faster-than-9-1-1/
Wisconsin has finally adopted concealed carry into law is great news, indeed – and long over-due. The Right to Carry movement has made great strides in the last two decades. In 1986, only Vermont offered restriction-free concealed carry while fifteen states prohibited concealed carry entirely. By the end of 2011, Illinois will be the only remaining state with a total ban on concealed carry, while 37 states (including Wisconsin) are defined as “shall-issue,” meaning their government must issue permits to anyone who meets the requirements.
As each state declared its intentions to allow concealed carry, the decision was met with criticism, concern and more than a little fear-mongering. A common argument has been that allowing citizens to arm themselves with guns would turn a simple dispute over a parking spot into a Wild West shootout. Not only has that fear proven groundless, a study conducted by the Texas Department of Public Safety confirmed that a concealed carry permit-holder is fourteen times less likely to commit a crime than any other citizen.
Similar arguments have been made in regards to allowing guns on and around university grounds. Concerns have been raised that allowing guns on our campus would turn debates into a gunfight or put a stopper in open discussions altogether. At schools across the country where guns have long been permitted, this has proven to be a non-issue – even in Utah where students and faculty may openly carry a weapon without need of a permit.
While Wisconsin’s ban on concealed carry has long denied law-abiding citizens the right to defend themselves, it does not impose restrictions on criminals who illegally possess weapons to inflict harm. Laws do not prevent crime – they only serve as a deterrent and an outline for punishment after the crime has already been committed. The same is true on our campus and in the classroom. Restricting guns from Virginia Tech classrooms did not and cannot prevent a massacre, but one legally-armed student could have made a difference, if only the law were altered.
While Wisconsin’s new concealed carry law will allow permit-holders to carry on campus grounds and in any building that is not otherwise posted, we at UW-Milwaukee may face restrictions owing to Hartford University’s presence within our campus. Current federal law prohibits the possession of firearms within 1,000 feet of school grounds, succinctly encompassing all, or most of, our campus. As such, even if weapons are allowed within our buildings, most students would be unable to legally carry them while walking to and from their homes to campus.
In the event of either a school zone or building restriction remaining in effect beyond November 1, I believe it entirely reasonable and prudent that UWM provide controlled lockers for students who wish to carry prior to reaching campus grounds. Such lockers are already in place at six UW schools, including Madison and Stevens Point, where they are monitored by campus police.
If I had one critique to make of Wisconsin’s new law, it would be that individuals are not required to demonstrate competency with a firearm prior to being issued a permit – only proof that they attended classroom instruction. To those who intend to carry a weapon, whether it’s a handgun, a Taser or mace, I strongly encourage you to practice with it regularly and be well acquainted with its safe and proper use. It’s the responsible thing to do and an enjoyable way to spend an afternoon.
My experience from having been a student there, is that it, as well as the bulk of its students, is very liberal and anti-gun. I find the comments to the article to follow my opinion. As it is a new article, I would love for this board to post comments, to educate those who read the article.
