Editorial

Wisconsin is one of only a few states which does not permit its citizens to carry concealed weapons. The state legislature is attempting again to pass a bill allowing individuals to be licensed to carry concealed weapons.

Supporters of concealed carry came just short of overriding the governor's veto of the measure in the last legislative session. Now they're trying again with two companion proposals: Senate Bill 403 and Assembly Bill 763.

WCC concerns. John Huebscher, executive director of the Wisconsin Catholic Conference (WCC), expressed concerns with the concealed carry proposals in recent testimony at the state Capitol. Huebscher's main objection was that the proposals fail to provide adequate protections for churches, hospitals, and other facilities. "In our view, the introduction of concealed weapons in such places is highly inappropriate," he said.

He noted that many Catholic health facilities have policies that prohibit employees, patients, and visitors from possession of weapons on their premises. "The law should continue to permit them to do so," said Huebscher.

In response to these and other criticisms of the proposed law, the Joint Finance Committee recently amended the bill to prohibit weapons in child care centers, domestic violence shelters, churches, healthcare facilities, college campuses, youth sporting events, and family non-profit organizations.

Broader impact. While these are welcome additions to the bills, I join Huebscher in voicing other concerns about the broader impact of allowing concealed weapons. Carrying of concealed weapons has been illegal in Wisconsin since 1872. Likewise our state does not have the death penalty.

Neither policy makes our state less safe. Quite the contrary. Huebscher notes that Wisconsin's violent crime continues to be well below the national average. Moreover, crime rates are dropping here at a greater rate than in most "conceal and carry" states. "In light of all this, the case for repealing current law has yet to be made," he said.

It seems that many law enforcement officers agree. Dane County Sheriff Gary H. Hamblin released a letter to the state legislature on December 1 indicating many concerns about the conceal carry bills. For example, Hamblin says under the current proposals, an applicant would be denied a conceal carry license if convicted of a drug offense within the preceding three years. "Three years is a relatively short time and that interval may only mean that they have not had a second conviction rather than having been rehabilitated. A longer time lapse would be advisable," he said.

Hamblin is also concerned that records relating to concealed carry licensees are withheld from law enforcement and the public. Yet, each year hundreds of thousands of hunters (himself included) take to the woods and have their licenses as part of the public record. "Why should concealed carry permits be treated differently?" asks Hamblin. He has issues with limited background checks and other aspects of the bills, too.

Right to own guns. Citizens do have the right to own and use guns. Huebscher notes that they have a right to protect their homes and business. But the law should be clarified, he says, to permit "persons to carry concealed weapons in their own home or business" but prohibit them from "taking them into the homes or businesses of others."

Our state has gone without allowing concealed weapons for 133 years. There are too many concerns with the current proposals. Please contact your legislators urging them not to support the concealed carry bills.

Mary C. Uhler

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Pray for souls of those in power

To the editor:

After reading Greg Wagner's response on our governor's veto on the cloning ban, I feel we need to pray for the souls of those in power. These men of power are not gods. God gave no man, be they doctors, governors, judges, the ability to judge another's soul. God refused mercy to the prideful angels, but has granted to man repentance and forgiveness.

These powerful people truly fear death. They sacrifice the most helpless to add a few years to their lives. Compared to eternal life, our lives are as short as the embryo being sacrificed.

Do not fear your voice is small. Keep praying, keep speaking. Parents are understanding the dangers of chemical birth control and throwing them out. Babies are being saved from abortion.

We will all stand before God's throne. No one will be ignorant of God's laws then.

I pray: Open our eyes to your truth, Lord. Mankind cries and suffers for they turn from you. I pray Psalm 130 and place my trust in you.

To lose life willingly to save one child, one piece, one thought of God. The souls of the powerful are loved no less by God. Pray for them.

Laurie Favreau, Janesville