Negative CCW news from beloitdailynews.com

[JBomb]

http://www.beloitdailynews.com/artic...als/edit01.txt

EDITORIAL: Concealed carry. Still a bad idea

Posted: Friday, Jun 13, 2008 - 12:54:31 pm CDT

 

More guns on the street can't be the answer.

NORMALLY, WE FIND very few reasons to quarrel with longtime Winnebago County Sheriff Dick Meyers. He's a first-class law enforcement leader, and a smart guy with more than his share of common sense.

 

But this week the sheriff came out in favor of citizens carrying concealed weapons, in response to a push among Winnebago County Board members to begin the permitting practice.

 

“I do not have a problem with concealed carry,” Meyers was quoted as saying by the Rockford Register Star. “Twenty years ago, I would have told you different, but we're at a point where we don't have a choice.”

 

WELL, YES, WE DO have a choice. Encouraging people - and that's what a carry law would do - to go around hiding guns on their person is just wrongheaded. Will more hidden guns make anybody safer? We doubt that.

 

Many states have some variation of a carry law. We haven't heard of violent crime being abolished in any of them.

 

Wisconsin's legislature repeatedly has declined to adopt a carry law. We're not aware this state is any more violent than others, and we're pretty sure it's safer than most.

 

Is Winnebago County different? Is the only way to improve public safety the arming of citizens?

 

That doesn't make sense.

 

TO OUR WAY of thinking, there's something depressing about hearing a solid veteran police officer advocate for more hidden guns on the street. It's almost like throwing in the towel.

 

We understand the emotional component. Some argue, for example, the slaughter at Northern Illinois University could have been prevented or minimized if individuals in the hall that day had guns.

 

Perhaps.

 

But such situations, thank God, are rare and unpredictable. Even with a carry provision, who's to say someone in the hall might have been armed and used the weapon effectively? Just as likely, it could have touched off a wild crossfire and hurt more people.

 

Besides, extreme situations make bad arguments for public policy solutions, particularly concealed carry. And, on an everyday basis, locking and loading hardly seems necessary.

 

IF A WILD WEST environment is really a proper alternative, though, how about this: Scrap the idea of concealed carry, in favor of strapping the modern version of a six-shooter on one's hip.

 

If the idea is to send a message to bad guys that the good citizens are ready and able to shoot them down, why hide it?

 

Seem silly? So does concealed carry.

 

What's next? Duels?

 

(Comments block at the bottom of the page)

 

Letters to the Editor:

bbarth@beloitdailynews.com

[BushRat]

IF A WILD WEST environment is really a proper alternative, though, how about this: Scrap the idea of concealed carry, in favor of strapping the modern version of a six-shooter on one's hip.

 

If the idea is to send a message to bad guys that the good citizens are ready and able to shoot them down, why hide it?

 

Hmm, open carry, I like that idea too.

[Kipp Jones]

You can call this idiot at 608-365-8811 Extension 140 Bill Barth.

[TTIN]

You can call this idiot at 608-365-8811 Extension 140 Bill Barth.

 

While what this idiot says about incidences like WIU are rare is, fortunately, true,what about everyday muggings and rapes happening to individual people that are prevented in states that allow carry?

 

And,heck I might even go for OC.I think this guy just needed an editorial to print;nevermind that it makes no sense.

[Buzzard]

IF A WILD WEST environment is really a proper alternative, though, how about this: Scrap the idea of concealed carry, in favor of strapping the modern version of a six-shooter on one's hip.

 

Don't mind if I do!

[HighHeeledGoddess]

Given the general amount of spelling and grammatical errors that grace every single issue of that paper, I think I prefer them to be antis.

 

Besides, from what I have heard WI and IL pretty much hate one another, so it's all the more reason for WINN county to 'bite the bullet' - pun intended.

[GarandFan]

A calm, collected, and level-headed letter to the editor is the best response.

[Don Gwinn]

We haven't heard of violent crime being abolished in any of them.

 

Somebody help! I can't get these goalposts moving fast enough!

 

So now the standard for new laws is this: if it doesn't abolish crime, we don't pass it.

 

Well, that should simplify the Compiled Statutes, anyway. On balance, I think I'd trade away a CCW law if they applied that standard to all the other laws on the books.

[Traken]

Ah, I love how someone can publish an article, completely devoid of fact and logic, and call it "news."

[Hossua]

I would much prefer open carry to tell the truth. =) Although it keeps the baddies guessing when you hide it.

[burningspear]

I would much prefer open carry to tell the truth. =) Although it keeps the baddies guessing when you hide it.

Let me add: I would prefer three choices -- to carry concealed, to carry openly, or not to carry -- when I am out and about.