How do you feel about open carry?
June 29, 2009
Interviews & Photos by Jason Haas
“I know that I’ve talked to other people who were surprised not to see that in our state. I’d had a friend who’d recently come from the Raleigh [North Carolina] area, and we’d talked about that. It sounds really unfriendly.”
-Tim Mackay, 76th & National
“I am not for open and carry. That’s it.”
-Leslie Gauger, Greenfield
“I tell ya, I’ve never been one to feel the need for a gun, so… I don’t see why people need to do that. Of course, you know, I’m kind of big and everything, nobody bothers me… I really don’t know. You know, guns are dangerous, and you’ve got a lot of people out there that own guns that don’t know how to use them. It’s just like a freakin’ car. You know, you’ve got people driving cars that don’t know how to use them. So, [the gun] can’t be concealed, it’s got to be in view… that might be good. I mean if you’re going to carry a gun you should let people know that you have a gun, so I would agree with that. [Laughs]”
-Joe Ford, “west side of Milwaukee”
“I think it’s just really sad that we even have to talk about it, that guns are such a big issue. I wish that we just… didn’t have to talk about it. And I know that’s a totally pie-in-the-sky sort of attitude, but it’s just a big negative thing. If you see somebody carrying a gun, it sets a negative tone that is scary and disturbing.”
-Dori Davenport Thexton, Wauwatosa
“This was disturbing news to those of us who have been district attorneys; it gave really unnecessary publicity to that fact. Because really, carrying guns openly does not contribute to the public peace and good order. It just makes people feel frightened, and it’s a negative overall to the community at large.”
-Arthur Thexton, Madison, “former district attorney from way up north”
TJ David on Tue, 30th Jun 2009 3:27 pm
Of the five people interviewed, not one was in favor of open carry? The interviewer couldn’t find just one person in Bayview not afraid, sad, or disturbed by firearms? I am in favor of both open and concealed carry. Unfortunately, Wisconsin’s governor twice vetoed legislation in favor of concealed carry which would have included required training by a certified instructor. As Wisconsin is not as familiar with law abiding citizens carrying handguns openly and legally, there are many myths and stereotypes about handguns and those that carry them. You still hear the knee jerk responses about gunfights in the street, the O.K. Corral, quickdrawing gunslingers, ad nauseam.
It is statistically proven that states that have allowed law abiding citizens to legally carry firearms have experienced a reduction in violent crime. Since Attorney General Van Hollen issued a memo stating that openly carrying a firearm has been and continues to be legal, there has not been one incident of the aforementioned gunfights, gunslingers, etc. In fact, several people throughout the state have openly carried with absolutely no incident.
Carrying a firearm is a right guaranteed by both the federal and state constitutions. The people who do so are responsible individuals who simply wish to exercise their rights, and to be safe. They are not to be feared, and they are not disturbing or dangerous.
K James on Tue, 30th Jun 2009 6:07 pm
Since those interviewed offered zero facts upon which they based their ‘feelings’ on, I’ll offer these: Open and/or concealed carry does reduce crime. Michigan is an excellent example of this fact. In the 4 years (1997-2000) prior to Michigan becoming “shall-issue”, reported incidents of crime averaged 4,509 per 100,000 people per year. In the 4 years after, (2002-2005), reported incidents of crime in Michigan fell 17% to an average of 3,717. A preliminary report for the first six months of 2008 indicate a 12.5% decline in violent crimes and a 6.8% decline in property crimes according to the Michigan State Police. During the same six month period in 2008, the number of lawfully carried concealed handguns in Michigan increased 7%. The reason that gun control laws don’t work is that they require the cooperation of a very unlikely source, and that is the criminal. Therefore, laws prevent nothing. They just enabled punishment after crimes are committed.
AaronS on Tue, 30th Jun 2009 6:14 pm
People in other states have had this right for some time now, and we have not seen any jump in crime. We are one of only two states that do not have any kind of concealed carry permit. Our state motto is “Forward”, but we sure have been sitting on our hands when it comes to gun laws. I also find it strange that the only five people interviewed, are anti rights people.
Hubert Hoffman on Tue, 30th Jun 2009 7:18 pm
I hosted an Open Carry Picnic in La Crosse County Wisconsin on May 17, 2009. We had all ages from retired to infant, and every ethnic group represented. Of the 200 attendees, 99 were armed with holstered firearms.
Tim Mackay, “It sounds really unfriendly.” There were no fights, no insults, no arguments, and no disrespect. Every attendee was courteous right down to the children. Every attendee would agree, that is was really FRIENDLY.
Leslie Gauger, “I am not for open and carry. That’s it.” It is our right to express our opinions, just as it is our right to carry a firearm for security, defense, hunting, recreation, or any other lawful purpose. I wonder if she would be so quick to surrender her other rights.
Joe Ford, “I tell ya, I’ve never been one to feel the need for a gun, so… I don’t see why people need to do that.” There are many people who do not feel the NEED to have automobile insurance but many states, and, now Wisconsin is considering it (maybe it passed), require automobile insurance, even though many do not “feel the NEED.” Carrying a firearm isn’t about need or want; it is about exercising the ONLY constitutional protected right that is under siege by this very media outlet.
Dori Davenport, “I think it’s just really sad that we even have to talk about it.” I agree 100%. In a utopian society, there would be no violence, but we do not live in such a society. There will always be those who prey upon others in society. Carrying a firearm does not guarantee one will not be a victim, but is does guarantee one has the ability to choose whether or not he/she wants to be a victim. “It sets a negative tone that is scary and disturbing.” Lack of education is what has set a negative (scary, disturbing) tone. Come out and meet/greet those who open carry. You will see that we are ordinary people, just like you.
Arthur Thexton, “it gave really unnecessary publicity to that fact.” So a “former district attorney” OPENLY (pun) admits that we do in fact have the right, but he would have rather see the people stay in the dark and uneducated. Is that the role of government, to keep people in the dark, uneducated, and thus easier to control? “Carrying guns openly does not contribute to the public peace and good order. It just makes people feel frightened, and it’s a negative overall to the community at large.” Interesting analysis does that mean that all police officers who carry openly do “not contribute to public peace and good order?” Does that mean that all police officers who carry openly make “people feel frightened” and that “it’s a negative overall to the community at large?” Is this “former district attorney” advocating for disarming EVERYONE, or just the non police citizens?
Chet Szymecki on Tue, 30th Jun 2009 9:55 pm
My stats: husband, father, college educated, gainfully employed, and able to protect my family from danger. I carry a firearm 24/7 sometimes concealed, mostly open.
I bet most of you men are just like me, except you are unable to protect your family or other citizens should you unintentionally cross paths with a violent felon hell-bent on rape, murder, and mayhem.
You draw your cellular phone, dial 911, and wait to die.
I will draw my .45 and provide safety immediately.
Nik on Tue, 30th Jun 2009 10:34 pm
People who open-carry are the most law-abiding and principled people you’ll ever meet. Polite also. NO ONE with ill intent would ever open carry. Before people make decisions about open-carry based on zero information, they should sit back and see what happens. HUNDREDS of people are open-carrying thousands and thousands of times all over SE wisconsin since the Attorney Generals memo and not a SINGLE negative consequence. No “accidental discharge” none of the myths that are totally based on lack of knowledge have happened. What has happened is multiple instances of law abiding people using the firearm to deter a criminal WITHOUT ever firing a shot. Wisconsin will soon know VERY well what 48 other states ALREADY know. That law-abiding citizens with guns is a VERY positive step to a safer community and a HUGE deterent to criminals and those with nefarious intent. Carry on!
Phil Landowski on Wed, 1st Jul 2009 11:34 pm
Milwaukee is in the top 25 for most dangerous cities in America: http://www.cqpress.com/product/City-Crime-Rankings-2008.html
“Violent crime rates are highest overall in states with laws severely limiting or prohibiting the carrying of concealed firearms for self-defense”.
- FBI Uniform Crime Reports
Enough said.
Dave Grandeffo on Thu, 2nd Jul 2009 4:40 pm
Last weekend I participated in a public service project with 11 other people. We gave up much of our Saturday to pick up trash along 4.6 miles of highway 67 just south of Dousman. It was hot and humid and we had to watch out for speeding cars, but we’re the kind of good citizens who get off the couch and get involved in worthwhile causes. Oh by the way, we were all openly and legally carrying pistols in our belt holsters.
Passing motorists waved and honked and gave us the thumbs up. Some other citizens stopped and talked to us and we explained our natural God-given right to life and the right to protect that life as stated in the Second Amendment. You should read it some time.
JM on Sat, 31st Oct 2009 2:06 am
Disgusting. Ownership and legal carrying of firearms is a constitutional right. I bet anyone of these people would be against violating any of the other rights granted to them by the constitution but it’s ok if it involves a gun. Anyone who is open carrying is going to be someone who is a law abiding person. All the criminals are already illegally carrying concealed. I can’t believe the coments about how carrying a gun is “a negative thing” and it creates a “negative tone”. What a bunch of nonsense. Gee, if we have a positive tone nothing bad will ever happen! How foolish.