Wisconsin is just one of four states in the U.S. where it is not legal to carry a concealed weapon. Criminals will always manage to get guns into Wisconsin, or anyplace else, but in Wisconsin you can't legally own a handgun for self-defense. A pretty backward state of affairs, huh? Well, that could change in the next month OR TWO. Following state senate approval of similar legislation recently, the Wisconsin State Assembly early this morning passed a bill allowing state residents to carry concealed weapons - if they take a firearms refresher training course every five years and don't carry in taverns, schools or police stations. Those restrictions helped bring Democrats over to the "yes" side. Once the house version goes back for, and receives final approval in the Senate, the manuevering really starts. That's because the state's Democratic governor Jim Doyle has pledged to veto the bill. However, veto-proof majorities in both may be able to uphold the bill. It's going to close. The Capital Times has more.

The state needs the law, said Rep. Scott Gunderson, R-Waterford, the bill's main sponsor in the Assembly. Wisconsin residents should be able to strike back if criminals attack them, he said. Democrats countered the bill will lead to more killing and arming people won't solve crime. "What a sad, sad commentary on civilization in the United States of America," said Rep. Frank Boyle, D-Superior.

Rep. Boyle: "civilization in the United States of America" has already pretty much settled the matter. In all but four states, including Wisconsin, it is already legal to carry a concealed weapon. The current state of affairs is more accurately a "sad, sad commentary' on the skittishness of Wisconsin Democrats, who are afraid that law-abiding adult citizens are not capable of owning and using handguns responsibily, to protect themselves from criminals who will always be able to get guns, no matter what legislative prohibitions exist. I cast my vote for the right to armed self-defense; and you clearly cast yours for some crackpot utopian dream that banning concealed weapons by legislative fiat is even possible, when in fact it is not.

Related Rosenblog posts:

"A Woman And Her Gun" (Version I);

"A Jewelry Shop Owner's Best Friend;"

"New Minnesota Gun Permit Law Celebrated, Jeered One Year Later;"

"Burglars! Hie Thee To Britain!"

"San Francisco Gun Ban Would Further Isolate National Dems;"

"Gun Sales Ban Nixed In Brazil;"

"A Woman And Her Gun" (Version II).

TECHNORATI TAGS: WISCONSIN, CONCEAL-CARRY LAW, JIM DOYLE, VETO

Posted by Matt Rosenberg at December 14, 2005 12:28 PM