Cobra469
Regular Member
imported post
Thought I should share this story from Journal Sentinal that I just stumbled on.
http://www.jsonline.com/news/opinion/83069452.html
Two prominent law enforcement officials are ready to back Wisconsinites' ability to carry concealed handguns with a permit if the law includes tough gun regulations that have been hard to obtain.
We have long been opposed to concealed carry for Wisconsin. But an argument, being made by Milwaukee Police Chief Edward Flynn and District Attorney John Chisholm, makes sense to us. The state should have this law if it is truly part of a larger package that includes closing the gun show loophole, making it a felony to act as a straw buyer and also a felony to carry a concealed handgun without a permit.
Law enforcement officials feel that their hands are tied. While it's illegal to carry a concealed weapon in Wisconsin, the penalties for doing so are among the weakest in the country.
Last week, Flynn told the Editorial Board that his frustration mounts after his department arrests someone carrying a gun, but the person is punished with a relative slap on the wrist.
We all should be willing to live with concealed carry if it is part of comprehensive firearm reform and if prosecutors are given the ability to severely punish those illegally carrying guns.
In other words, the trade-off is worthy if also included are tools that, as Flynn describes it, make it just as dangerous for folks to carry illegal guns as they think it is to go without them.
In Wisconsin, it is illegal for a felon to be in possession of a firearm. But for a non-felon, the offense is most often a misdemeanor.
It's clear: Something drastic needs to change in the state to make people rethink carrying handguns. In certain areas of the city, gunshots can ring out at anytime because of a perception that, on the streets, carrying a gun is simply a matter of necessity.
Of course, such a new law won't make all bad guys rethink guns. And if concealed-carry legislation is crafted, it should be done with reasonable access for law enforcement to the database so they can know who's carrying; to the public so it can gauge whether the law is resulting in more death or injury; should mandate adequate firearms training for permit holders; and retain private property owners' abilities to restrict guns from their premises (particularly bars).
And getting caught with a concealed gun but without a permit should carry significant penalties.
While crime in Milwaukee has decreased for an eighth consecutive quarter, the number of illegal guns out there should concern everyone. This should be as evident to the pro-gun folks as to the anti-gun folks.
Wisconsin is one of two states without concealed-carry laws. And, no, we don't believe that more people carrying concealed guns will suddenly make all criminals afraid and that crime will go away.
We know that those traditionally opposed to concealed carry fear that such a law will result in Wild West shootouts. There is little evidence that this is a widespread problem in those states with concealed carry.
The issue of concealed carry could crop up in the governor's race. Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, vying for the Democratic nomination, has been particularly outspoken on the topic. We'd urge him to take another look. To us, the trade-off is worth it.
But let's be clear: Without these other tougher parts, there should be no give on concealed carry.
Thought I should share this story from Journal Sentinal that I just stumbled on.
http://www.jsonline.com/news/opinion/83069452.html
Two prominent law enforcement officials are ready to back Wisconsinites' ability to carry concealed handguns with a permit if the law includes tough gun regulations that have been hard to obtain.
We have long been opposed to concealed carry for Wisconsin. But an argument, being made by Milwaukee Police Chief Edward Flynn and District Attorney John Chisholm, makes sense to us. The state should have this law if it is truly part of a larger package that includes closing the gun show loophole, making it a felony to act as a straw buyer and also a felony to carry a concealed handgun without a permit.
Law enforcement officials feel that their hands are tied. While it's illegal to carry a concealed weapon in Wisconsin, the penalties for doing so are among the weakest in the country.
Last week, Flynn told the Editorial Board that his frustration mounts after his department arrests someone carrying a gun, but the person is punished with a relative slap on the wrist.
We all should be willing to live with concealed carry if it is part of comprehensive firearm reform and if prosecutors are given the ability to severely punish those illegally carrying guns.
In other words, the trade-off is worthy if also included are tools that, as Flynn describes it, make it just as dangerous for folks to carry illegal guns as they think it is to go without them.
In Wisconsin, it is illegal for a felon to be in possession of a firearm. But for a non-felon, the offense is most often a misdemeanor.
It's clear: Something drastic needs to change in the state to make people rethink carrying handguns. In certain areas of the city, gunshots can ring out at anytime because of a perception that, on the streets, carrying a gun is simply a matter of necessity.
Of course, such a new law won't make all bad guys rethink guns. And if concealed-carry legislation is crafted, it should be done with reasonable access for law enforcement to the database so they can know who's carrying; to the public so it can gauge whether the law is resulting in more death or injury; should mandate adequate firearms training for permit holders; and retain private property owners' abilities to restrict guns from their premises (particularly bars).
And getting caught with a concealed gun but without a permit should carry significant penalties.
While crime in Milwaukee has decreased for an eighth consecutive quarter, the number of illegal guns out there should concern everyone. This should be as evident to the pro-gun folks as to the anti-gun folks.
Wisconsin is one of two states without concealed-carry laws. And, no, we don't believe that more people carrying concealed guns will suddenly make all criminals afraid and that crime will go away.
We know that those traditionally opposed to concealed carry fear that such a law will result in Wild West shootouts. There is little evidence that this is a widespread problem in those states with concealed carry.
The issue of concealed carry could crop up in the governor's race. Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, vying for the Democratic nomination, has been particularly outspoken on the topic. We'd urge him to take another look. To us, the trade-off is worth it.
But let's be clear: Without these other tougher parts, there should be no give on concealed carry.
