NRA-ILA Right To Carry Workshops Across WI - I'm going to Baldwin 7/24

[Captain Nemo]

I attended the NRA workshop at Baldwin. It was mostly a bunch of chest thumping by the NRA on how much it has done during the past 10 years to bring concealed carry to Wisconsin. It also provided a platform for NRA cerified instructors tosell their wares. It pretty well glossed over the fact that because of hunters safety courses and military training that millions of wisconsonites have already satisfied the training requirements. They were but mentioned in passing. I'm sure that there is a cadre of people that don't have training to fit the bill so the training sales may have had some value. The NRA was very politically correct in presenting the candiates up for recall, briefly showing the names on the screen and then mentioning that those were the ones endorsed by the NRA. It did bring up one important point nd that is that the Harsdorf/Moore vote will be very close and voter turnout will more than likely determine victory. The NRA did a fair job of outlining the scope of ACT 35. It left out a couple of things. It didn't mention that a permit and training is not required to CC on ones property, business or home and it didn't mention that the permit would allow a person to carry in the 1000 foot school zone. It also failed to mention that Art I sect 25 and strong voter ratification was a driving force behind the legislation. I was especially dismayed when they stated that it was the NRA lobbying that was instrumental in passing ACT 35, mentioning that there were a couple of local groups that attended a few meetings, but implying that they were largely just noise. No mention was made of Nik, Jesus Gonzales, Brad Krause, MKEgal, the madison five or J.B. Van Hollen. Those of us that have been forum members for years know that without their pioneering efforts and guts ACT 35 more than likely would still be wishful thinking. Even though the NRA has stolen the thunder we know who the real heroes are. I have done some literary sparring with each of them but my hat is off to all of them. I guess there is some comfort in knowing that the "ends justifies the means".

 

[Pyro01]

I agree with you 100%. I was just rolling my eyes most of the time as was Protias. It woulda been nice to meet you Captain Nemo, when you respond to stuff on here, I like what you have to say.

 

[Big River Leather]

I enjoyed the workshop. I think chest thumping might be a bit strong, but yes, they did talk about the time, effort and dollars that they spent. Though they did not get specific with many other names, other than those that were directly involved with coordinating and participating in the workshop, They did acknowledge in general all those who helped by contacting and working with their legislators. Yes, they did cite many of the specific efforts that the NRA went through as part of the program, but I wouldn't say it was the focus. After all it was their workshop.

For a lot of the general public, which I would say the majority of the people that were there were (not activists or forum members who are involved as much as many of those here), it answered the basic questions that they had about the bill. I believe that was the purpose of the workshop.

I thought they did a good job of explaining the training requirements. Don't know if they could have done more without being redundant. They did state that Hunter Safety training was adequate, talked about that for a bit saying it didn't matter if it was 70 years ago, it was still valid. They told you if you didn't have the certificate that you can call the DNR and get a copy from them. They even said it shouldn't take more than 5 minutes for them to get that done for you. They talked about military training for a few minutes. They are working with the DOJ on the specifics of the military training. Often people will get small arms training but it is not part of the certification and they want to be able to find a way through that.

I specifically remember them mentioning that a permit was not required at your own property, business or home. I don't remember if it was part of the CC bill or the upcoming AB69/SB69 legislation, but I did hear it.

Not taking away anything from all of those here and elsewhere that put major personal life altering efforts into getting this done, I am just stating that I'll acknowledge the efforts by those that were putting on the workshop.

As Captain Nemo said, voter turnout will be paramount in the recall elections. Polling shows that 40-50 votes could make the difference. The offered up absentee ballots so that no excuses could be made for not showing up to vote. For me, Voting day is something I look forward to and my day is planned around it. Even the democratic primary election was that way.

Most importantly for me, I had the opportunity to meet some great people. I spent a good amount of time talking to Portias and Pyro01, as well as Ole Annette and a few other people. I am really looking forward to meeting more of you at the Open Carry Picnic on August 21st at the St. Croix Co fairgrounds.

Oh yea, a little gun and holster porn - Here is the rig I finished up and carried at the workshop, my P220 Carry SAO, Hogue G10 grips, refinishing / polished barrel and my BRL logo engraved into the top of the slide done by WWW.CUSTOMIZEDCREATIONZ.COM, Stainless Steel guide rod all wrapped up in my LAS Lou Allessi Snap holster in cordovan with Black sharkskin trim. Forgot it was there.

 

[goforlow]

Yes, NRA did brag A LOT! We know that there were also a lot more of us that really got this done!! Like Annette Olson!!

Next, Portias, was not the other in those pics, it was I, "goforlow" or Tony in the dayglow yellow WCI shirt. I piss off the NRA guys when I wear that shirt to NRA events!!

Capt Nemo - I wish we could have meet. I have been trying to meet the "local" WCI folks. Will you be able to attend the OC picnic on August 21st in Glenwood City? I will be there, and will be wearing the same yellow WCI shirt!! Same short guy with the same short gun!!

It was good to see the huge turnout! Good talking to you again Chris. Scott, good talking to you also. I WILL be doing business with you in the near future!!

Carry on, Carry ALWAYS!!

 

[Big River Leather]

Next, Portias, was not the other in those pics, it was I, "goforlow" or Tony in the dayglow yellow WCI shirt. I piss off the NRA guys when I wear that shirt to NRA events!!

Oops, sorry about that, Not sure what I was thinking there. Not enough sleep last night.

It was a very touching moment when Annette was awarded the pen from Gov. Walker that was used to sign the bill. That alone speaks volumes for the work she did on this bill.

 

[Captain Nemo]

One message I got from the NRA workshop is we can not let up. Now that we have a CC law that will make a lot of you happy and cause you to have an attitude that what we got is good enough now we can drift away into the darkness, let me remind you that we still have a long way to go. First: Vehicle carry still has issues. Personal protection in a vehicle should not be restriced to hanguns. Even with the new CC law a person would be breaking the law if they defended themselves with a rifle or shotgun from in or on a vehicle. Second: Constitutional carry with an optional permit system for GFSZ carry and reciprocity must still be strongly pursued. Use of firearms within Wisconsin by Wisconsin residents must be recognized as a fundamental right protected by Art I sect 25 of the state constitution regardless the manner of carry. It is ludicrous to think that the concealed carry of firearms on ones property, home and business is recognized by the legislature, the state supreme court and ACT 35 as a fundamental constitutional right, yet the carry of a concealed firearm in exercise of the other activities in Art I sec 25 are considered state issued privileges. Finally the Castle Doctrine. Getting the "stand your ground" amendment adopted into the bill is crucial. As was pointed out at the NRA workshop. The present CD bill only gives a person civil litigation immunity. If you are accousted on the street and use deadly force you may be found criminally innocent but you can still be found guilty of civil wrong doing. I only need to bring up the case of O. J. Simpson to illustrate. He was found innocent in criminal court but was found guilty in civil court of two counts of murder.

We won a major battle with ACT 35 but the war still goes on. Now is not the time to sit back on our laurels. We will only get the legislation we need done during a Republican controlled goverment which is currently in place. If the Democrats regain control of either the governorship or legislature we can kiss any future pro gun legislation goodbye. (before you jump all over that let me state that I am an Independant)

Even though the NRA has claimed the spoils on ACT 35 don't for once believe that the actions of members on this forum didn't have a core role. There is a number of areas in ACT 35 that have were obviously influenced by our play book. Start hitting the keyboards on those issues I mentioned.

 

[Big Dipper]

...
Use of firearms within Wisconsin by Wisconsin residents must be recognized as a fundamental right protected by Art I sect 25 of the state constitution regardless the manner of carry. ...

What makes you feel Art I Sect 25 in any way guarantees such rights to WI residents only?

Article I Section 1 says

All people are born equally free and independent, and have certain inherent rights; among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness; to secure these rights, governments are instituted, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. ...

And Article I Section 25 says "The people have the right..."

 

[Captain Nemo]

Big Dipper:

I don't intend to get into a debate as to whether or not "The People" as contained in state law pertains to all the people in the USA or to the residents of the state in which the law is written. Perhaps I should have said "at least to the residents of Wisconsin" Which was the intention of my comment.

 

[Pyro01]

My bad goforlow, didn't mean to get you mixed up. As for all the legislation we still need to push for, I agree 1000%, you can bet I'm going to go vote in the morning because my job will actually pay me for it. I thought it was so cool Annette got that pen, I would frame that sucker and hang it on my wall, she's done a wonderful job. Could anyone point me to their website for training? I know they haven't released a regimen yet because they're waiting on the DOJ, but it wouldn't be a bad idea knowing I could get training from them if I felt like it.

 

[davegran]

NRA = "No Real Action"

One message I got from the NRA workshop is we can not let up. Now that we have a CC law that will make a lot of you happy and cause you to have an attitude that what we got is good enough now we can drift away into the darkness, let me remind you that we still have a long way to go....

Yeah, well I for one would like to know what the NRA is going to do about these issues besides sit on their fat butts and watch us do all the work? :cuss:If they haven't started any plan of action by the end of August, I'm letting my membership lapse.

 

[Pyro01]

Yeah, well I for one would like to know what the NRA is going to do about these issues besides sit on their fat butts and watch us do all the work? :cuss:If they haven't started any plan of action by the end of August, I'm letting my membership lapse.

I haven't found the money I'm willing to spend to justify joining the NRA, but if I did, I'm not really sure I'd want to stay a member either. Sure they've done some good everywhere, but I'm much more prouder to say I'm a member of WI Carry. I know that even if no one knows who they are I am given the chance to tell those people what WI Carry is all about, and to try and convince them to join WI Carry's cause. The NRA just seems to me like a huge machine that's poorly oiled and eating up cash to maintain it's goals(or parts if we continue with the metaphor). I'd rather put my money where I know it's going to do some good locally, the exception to this is Ducks/Whitetail/Pheasents Unlimited. I'd join them because they improve the environment and seem to serve a better calling to me than the NRA does. Just my $.02.

 

[Big River Leather]

I thought it was so cool Annette got that pen, I would frame that sucker and hang it on my wall, she's done a wonderful job. Could anyone point me to their website for training? I know they haven't released a regimen yet because they're waiting on the DOJ, but it wouldn't be a bad idea knowing I could get training from them if I felt like it.

I have her card at home and will get her email address and info to you tonight.

 

[TaurusToter]

I haven't found the money I'm willing to spend to justify joining the NRA, but if I did, I'm not really sure I'd want to stay a member either.

I hear ya there. I got a free year membership with the purchase of my last Taurus piece, and that was 4 months ago. Still haven't seen the card, and I don't think I ever will.

"You can pry my money from my cold dead fingers!" ~Me