Gun Lobby Pushes To Put Even More Handguns On the Streets, Despite Poll
The Wisconsin legislators, who want to legalize the carrying of concealed weapons, are apparently out for blood. When Wisconsin law enforcement officials cited concerns about allowing more people to carry hidden, loaded handguns on the streets, these legislators retaliated by saying that not only will they again introduce a concealed weapons bill, but also they will strip away the power from sheriff and police departments to process permits and to conduct criminal background checks. The new bill will call for “outsourcing” those duties to private companies. This dangerous and bizarre idea was revealed, as the gun lobby returned to Wisconsin to renew its demand for a carrying concealed weapons bill despite the overwhelming opposition and concerns about public safety from the citizens and law enforcement officials of this state.
Legislators have withheld releasing the names of private companies that would be given the authority to determine who could or couldn’t carry a deadly handgun in public. They also have not explained to whom private security companies would be accountable, if they armed a domestic abuser or someone with a criminal record or history of mental illness.
“Wisconsin law enforcement officials, including the Wisconsin Chiefs of Police Association, are opposed to the concealed weapons law,” said Jeri Bonavia, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Anti-Violence Effort. “With law enforcement telling them that this is a dangerous idea. I don’t know why some legislators keep trying to pass this law. It certainly isn’t for the safety of the public.”
The gun lobby seems intent on forcing concealed weapons legislation, despite repeated failures and lack of support from Wisconsin voters. The vast majority of Wisconsinites, including gun owners, are opposed to the legalization of concealed weapons. A recent Gallup Poll showed that “nearly two in three Americans say they would feel less safe if they were in a public place and knew that concealed firearms were allowed.”
In addition, proponents of the concealed weapons bill have said that the new version will allow hidden, loaded guns in more places, including hospitals, businesses that serve liquor, and children’s sporting events. Besides “outsourcing” the CCW permit process and increasing the number of places that concealed weapons could be carried, the gun lobby is also proposing a reduction in the permit fees. If passed, Wisconsin taxpayers would have to shoulder even more of the financial burden.
“I can’t believe the gun lobby and their favorite legislators have the nerve to make taxpayers subsidize this deadly policy. They just don’t seem to get it: We don’t want more hidden, loaded guns on our streets or in the places we frequent, such as restaurants, banks, grocery stores, or day care centers,” said Bonavia. “Compared to the rest of the country, Wisconsin is a very safe place to live and raise a family, and we want to keep it that way.”