Gene German News Flash

It has been a while since I last sent you an Up-Date so I thought this would be a good time to get everyone caught up with what is going on in Madison.

New Day

The overall mood at the Capitol has greatly improved. Having said that there remain several very serious and pressing matters that need legislators’ immediate attention. Frankly, passing a carry bill isn’t one of them. Jobs, the economy and the budget have the undivided attention of everyone right now, as they should. The election did not fix these problems it only changed whose ideas to fix them have a chance of success. There is still a lot of heavy lifting ahead to do.

I can share with you a few details from 10,000 feet about what the next carry law will probably look like based upon reliable sources. However, the final details are still subject to the whims of the legislature. The next carry bill will have many different sets of fingerprints on it before it goes to the governor.

Most of the Constitutional Carry Strategy Worked

I am sorry to say that Constitutional carry (also known as unlicensed open carry) will probably not survive in the new carry law as I had hoped. Since early in 2007 a small group of people have worked very hard to reestablish the Constitutional carry rights of Wisconsin citizens and we are very proud of our accomplishments. We made no secret that reestablishing Constitutional carry per se was not the end game. It was but a small part of a much bigger strategy to pass a good carry law, no matter who the Governor was.

The good news is that legislators have come to appreciate that Constitutional carry is now and always has been the law of Wisconsin and yes, some restrictions apply. Prior to the first explorers stepping foot in Wisconsin in 1622 the Native Americans carried their weapons openly if they wished, even prior to the writing of the Constitution. This historical enlightenment over the public education system in just a few years was a huge achievement.

For reasons we can probably blame on the education system, demands for “Constitutional carry” have been sent to a few legislators. I can not think of a better way for those people to loose all their credibility and become irrelevant in Madison than to waste a legislators’ precious time needlessly asking for something they already have. Legislators are also sensitive to the growing unfavorable public opinion of open carriers.

Constitutional Carry Served its Main Purpose

I did speak to one Senator who voted against the last concealed carry bill and admitted to me that if he had known Constitutional carry was lawful in 2005, that he would have voted for the last concealed carry bill. The plan was to use Constitutional carry to flip enough legislators who voted no before, to change their vote to yes and over ride the next Doyle veto of a carry law. I believe we have more than enough votes to pass a carry law today even if Doyle had remained the governor.

What’s Next?

A carry bill will probably be introduced sometime this spring or summer. As before, the next carry bill has bi-partisan support but unlike before, a two thirds super majority in the legislature will not be needed to pass the bill on to the Governor. What this means is the final bill should be a much better law with broad protections for both the permit holder and the community at large, but it will likely be a concealed carry law once again. Based upon the seriously sour mood toward open carriers, I have to question if open carry even with a carry permit will be possible. Time will tell.

Poster Child for Training

One last thing, let’s not forget about Jesus Gonzales. His trial is set for February 28 for two counts of First Degree Intentional Homicide (one count is a Felony A and one count a Felony B). Folks training is mandatory. It only depends upon if the training occurs before your gun goes bang or after your gun goes bang. I can promise you the cost of training was much, much higher when completed after the gun goes bang for Jesus, the people who were shot and the taxpayers of the State of Wisconsin who may be told to provide Jesus room and board for a very long time.

You can follow his case here:

http://wcca.wicourts.gov/caseDetail...ffset=0&mode=details&submit=View+Case+Details

Believe me, It’s About Liberty, Your Liberty.

Gene German
Minnesota DPS Certified - Senior AACFI Firearms Instructor

AACFI Wisconsin State Director

Wisconsin Patriots, Founder

Wisconsin Gun Rights Examiner

Click to expand...

anmut said:

I like how he uses the word "liberty" after that piece of drivel. FOR SHAME.

Click to expand...

davegran said:

These are the actions of a sleazebag trying to feather his own nest by any means he can, including an attempt to use the plight of Jesus in the worst possible way. Notice also how he tries to muddy the waters by confusing Constitutional Carry with Open Carry. He will obviously do or say anything to gain his selfish ends. :cuss:

Click to expand...