Posted on 08/11/2009 7:29:16 PM PDT by marktwain
The Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution has been interpreted as guaranteeing a right to bear arms.
Wisconsin, where deer hunting is hard-wired into the state's DNA, respects that right. Democrats and Republicans, liberals and conservatives agree on the point. Indeed, Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wis., and Congressman Dave Obey, D-Wausau, are among the steadiest defenders of gun rights at the national level. We respect their reasoned positions, as we do those of Congressman Tom Petri, R-Fond du Lac, and former Gov. Tommy Thompson.
But we do not respect the bizarre claim that the Second Amendment can be read to include a right to conceal arms.
Unfortunately, the gun industry and its political handmaidens have used fear and fantasy to promote so-called "concealed carry" laws. These laws, which are on the books in 48 states, allow (and in some cases require) the issuing of permits to carry concealed handguns.
Wisconsin is one of two states -- the other is Illinois -- that do not allow concealed carry permits to be issued.
Time and tragedy are proving Wisconsin to be right on this issue. The most recent confirmation comes from Pittsburgh. George Sodini, the messed-up man who on Tuesday opened fire at a Pittsburgh health club -- killing three women and wounding nine others, including the pregnant fitness instructor, before turning a gun on himself -- is at least the sixth person licensed to carry a concealed handgun to commit a mass shooting since May 2007.
According to Violence Policy Center research, these six mass shootings by known concealed handgun permit holders have claimed 26 innocent lives. (Three of the concealed carry killers have then killed themselves.) At least 16 additional people were wounded.
Three law enforcement officers have been murdered.
"Concealed handgun permits were promoted by the gun lobby as a mechanism to arm 'law-abiding' citizens who, in theory, would prevent mass shootings. Instead, the hard facts demonstrate that concealed handgun permit holders don't prevent mass shootings, they perpetrate them," says Kristen Rand.
Rand authored the July 2009 VPC study documenting killings by concealed handgun permit holders: "Law Enforcement and Private Citizens Killed by Concealed Handgun Permit Holders: An Analysis of News Reports, May 2007 to April 2009."
Check out Rand's study, along with a recent update, and feel good about Wisconsin's wisdom.
As Rand says, "This has reached the level of madness. States run bureaucracies to give out permits to people who commit mass shootings -- how is that rational, much less good public policy? This Pittsburgh incident alone should supply the impetus for states to repeal these dangerous laws."
Wisconsin does not have to reverse course. Wisconsin is right.
Let's keep it that way.
Those are two states I won’t be moving to.
Well that explains why Chicago, IL is so free of gun violence.
I just completed a study that demonstrates that Kristen Rand is an idiot. She ignores all evidence we have on record.
If I had written this idiocy, I wouldn’t have put my name on it either.
How much research did this Rand lady do into thwarted crimes? She just blathers like she has.
No Problem, just sign on to the open carry rights, and we will vote for you. Problem solved!
Illinois gives the no to open packing too... it sucks here.
I do have a solution to this "alleged" problem of concealed carry...allow everyone open carry!
So, how many concealed weapons are used in Wisconsin to commit murders? The author states a VERY stupid case - the fact that bad actors exist does not negate the existence of good concealed carry actors.
We still do not know if Sodini had a concealed carry permit. I’d prefer to have that confirmed by the STATE that issued it, if he did.
gotta hand it to them, guns don’t kill people, concealed carry permits do...
I really would love to know what gives these people the idea that we don’t have the right to bear arms.
There. I'm sure that's what he meant to write.
The 2nd has nothing to do with hunting. It means that every citizen has the right to be as well armed as current technology and their own ability to procure it permits. Not as well armed as the government allows. If the chicoms were marching down Main St.. the fools would figure it out. Albeit far too late.
Open carry is legal in Pennsylvania.
Six examples out of how many CCW permit holders in 48 states? What are the statistics?
Mark
Certainly if he didn't have had such a permit he would have thought twice about committing a triple murder/suicide. "I want to shoot up a bunch of people and then kill myself, but crap that would require me to conceal a weapon - and that's illegal!"
Statistics that do not agree with your point of view can be ignored. /sarc
Six people nationwide have had a CC permit and then committed murder. THAT is their “proof”? Damn, it’s a good thing they weren’t ILLEGALLY carrying them or there wouldn’t be a story.
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