First draft
Last week, there was a short letter to the editor from one Norman C. Granvold complaining about someone legally carrying a firearm while watching the parade.
I was that person.
I will answer Mr. Granvold's concerns expressed in his letter: Post offices don't allow firearms by federal law. Hospitals (not all of them) ban firearms because their board of directors made the decision, not the law. Local governments are allowed under state law to ban firearms from city owned buildings, but not lands or parades. Unfortunately, the city of Stoughton did pass such a ordinance in kneejerk reaction to the then new concealed carry law, Act 35.
And just to educate Mr. Granvold, I was open carrying, not concealed carrying. If I was carrying concealed, how would you know?
Just because you were traumatized, sir, does not mean anyone else was. I never saw sign of any such thing. Nobody moved away from me. Nobody ran away screaming. No hysteria, no shouts of fear. Nothing. In fact, children are more interested than scared, and most adults don't even notice. I'd be willing to bet more children were scared of the loud sirens and horns of the emergency vehicles than they were of the firearms that could also be seen carried by the police all weekend and color guard during the parade. What do you do during gun deer season, Mr. Granvold?
Now, just because something is called a family event, does not mean it is a criminal free zone. Just look at the riots at the state fair last year. Can you guarantee a 100% crime free event? No, and that is why I carry, to protect my family who was with me, and myself, not to play cop or be a hero.
I would suggest that Mr. Granvold read the bill of rights again. Y'know, that document that also gives him the right of free speech? To promote his cause? Worship as he pleases? The right to keep and bear arms is in there. Surprisingly, it's in the Wisconsin Constitution too...article 1, section 25. Even spelled out in state law under Act 35.
Your way practicing of your constitutional rights does not mean I have to give up mine, because you disagree with the way I chose to practice mine.