Posted on 11/02/2011 4:43:35 AM PDT by marktwain
Concealed carry comes to Wisconsin today, and Second Amendment fans should be excited that for a scant $50 permit, they can now protect themselves by shooting people in Madison streets. However, they might be bummed to find out that Madison has a bunch of safe havens for those who feel more comfortable when they know people around them aren’t armed. The A.V. Club checked on a few Madison landmarks to give the gun-averse a primer.
Monona Terrace
Listed reason for banning concealed weapons: The convention center is technically a city-owned building, and Mayor Soglin pledged that no city-owned buildings would allow concealed weapons—something he called a proactive approach to addressing “bad public policy.” The actual reason you can’t bring them: Michael Feldman fears a scenario when an audience member who never gets picked for the “Whad’ya Know Show” decides to force his or her way on as a contestant with a .357 Magnum in hand.
Metro buses and bus stops
Listed reason for banning concealed weapons: Buses aren’t technically public buildings, so city officials have assumed that they can continue to ban weapons onboard. Stops and transfer points are owned by the city, placing them under Soglin’s blanket band on concealed carry.
The actual reason you can’t bring them: No one wants a heated standoff to break out every time a person in a wheelchair needs to relocate riders seated in the priority seating section. Also, transfer points are dangerous enough with pellet-gun death squads running around—do we really want to provoke an arms race with actual weaponry?
Democratic legislators’ offices in the Capitol
Listed reason for banning concealed weapons: Ultimately the Walker administration decided that allowing concealed weapons within the Capitol and other state buildings would be the only way to avoid being called massive hypocrites. Still, some defiant legislators have posted signs on their office doors banning concealed weapons, including state Sen. Bob Jauch, one of the six Democrats who actually (and confusingly) voted to pass the concealed carry bill.
The actual reason you can’t bring them: Americans For Prosperity paid for a pretty expensive-looking AV setup for the Tea Party’s visit to Madison. Do you think Democratic legislators want to find out just how many laser-sighted Berettas they’re willing to hand out in front of Democrats’ offices just to prove some point about the Second Amendment?
Camp Randall, Kohl Center, Union South, and Memorial Union
Listed reason for banning concealed weapons: UW officials announced that weapons would be banned from all campus buildings back in September. The Kohl Center and Camp Randall were of specific concern due to the massive numbers of people coming in and out at once, which could present more dangerous situations should concealed weapons be allowed into the mix.
The actual reason you can’t bring them: “Jump Around” is dangerous enough after a lengthy day of tailgating, but throwing a bunch of Tasers and nightsticks into the mix of the student section would only end badly for everyone involved. Besides, no one wants a Last Boy Scout scenario playing out on the field.
Overture Center
Listed reason for banning concealed weapons: Overture is partially owned by the city, meaning that Mayor Soglin’s ban on concealed weapons covers it as well, but Overture management probably would have banned concealed weapons for snooty public safety reasons regardless.
The actual reason you can’t bring them: Ira Glass startles easily, and having someone in the front row stroking a Glock might prompt him to hide under his signature desk until someone can get Alex Blumburg on the phone to coax him out with soft, disarming chuckling.
Majestic Theatre
Listed reason for banning concealed weapons: As a privately owned business, the Majestic is free to set its own rules for concealed carry, and it has elected to ban all concealed weapons. Expect most venues to follow suit, since similar concerns about large, drunken crowds exist between all of them.
The actual reason you can’t bring them: Allowing concealed weapons at the ’80s Vs. ’90s: Old School Hip-Hop Edition show could spell disaster for MC Hammer fans, whose only defense in the battle over East Coast vs. West Coast supremacy would be musty parachute pants.
Can municipalities override state law in Wisconsin?
what’s the punishment for disobeying the leftards?
It might be worth it (better judged by 12 than carried by 6 and all that...)
No but municipalities and private businesses can decide if they want to admit concealed carry owners. That’s their right. In practice, it won’t be a problem any more than it turned out to be a problem in any other RTC state.
So according to this a$$hat I can go to Madison Wisconsin, pay 50 bucks and start shooting people to protect myself?
Other than maybe Islamabad or Quetta, I can’t think of a better place to start.
Fix that damn map, would you?
Thanks Matt. You have always understood the reality of dis-armament. When I went to a city park yesterday with my dogs, I carried my wife's Mace, cause the city of Knoxville says I would be a law-breaker if I carried a firearm. Naturally, thugs, robbers and gangbangers will also comply. /sarc
It's not my map, @$$hole.
Here in Michigan our state constitution supersedes local laws. Lots of cities have attempted to impose anti gun ordinances but all have been ruled unconstitutional.
A picture paints a thousand words. Yours shouts them!
Plus Wisconsin can now issue CC permits. Went into effect yesterday. Open carry has always been legal.
Good map, but it doesn’t tell the whole story. I don’t know about the other “may issue” states, but here in New Jersey it is nearly impossible to get a carry permit unless you are a retired LEO or politically connected. You have to prove a “need”, and the proof is never sufficient.
Open carry has always been legal in Wisconsin, but cops have always frowned on it and made it a point to harass anyone (other than deer hunters) carrying a firearm openly. Plus, I'm sure many establishments, public and private, have banned open carrying on their premises.
I read a story some years ago about a Wisconsin police office that basically iterated what I just wrote. The cop said that he and his fellow officers would stop anyone openly carrying a firearm and accuse them of something. It might always have been legal, but I've lived in this state all my life, 61 years, and I've yet to see an average citizen carrying a firearm openly when not hunting.
We're finally establishing gulags for liberals where the GOOD people won't have to look at them or talk to them?? Woohoo!
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