Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Dramatically Reverses Longstanding Editorial Position, Now Supports Carrying Of Hidden and Loaded Handguns In Public “With Restrictions” — Can You Say “Naive” Anyone?
In response, we are pleased to post the following letter to the editor to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on Feb. 2nd from the Wisconsin Anti-Violence Effort.
Wisconsin Anti-Violence Effort: No Good Reason For Journal Sentinel to Dramatically Change Its Editorial Position On Carrying Hidden and Loaded Handguns In Public
We are bewildered by the Journal Sentinel's readiness to back legalization of carrying concealed weapons for several reasons.
Most importantly, although proponents of concealed-carry laws claim "more guns, less crime," the research is clear: The legalization of carrying concealed weapons does not decrease overall violent crime as promised. However, it is associated with an increase in firearm homicides. As a gun violence prevention organization, guided by empirical evidence, we have opposed and will continue to oppose a policy that may well lead to more firearm murders.
Also, since we currently have a lower firearm death rate than the vast majority of states with "shall issue" laws, the argument that we should change our law just because most other states have done so is absurd and reckless. Why would we try to emulate any state that has more of a firearm violence problem than we do?
Rather, we should be promoting a legislative package that will actually reduce gun violence. According to researchers, that package should require criminal background checks prior to all gun sales, including the unregulated, private gun sales that occur at gun shows, through newspaper ads, in alleyways, over the Internet, out of the trunks of cars and at kitchen tables.
No trade-off should be necessary to pass this legislation; it is supported by 84% of likely voters in Wisconsin, including seven of 10 of Wisconsin's National Rifle Association members.
Trying to construct a deal that includes concealed carry in an effort to appease the NRA lobbyists from Virginia and their favorite legislators in the Wisconsin Legislature is unwarranted and dangerous.
Jeri Bonavia
WAVE Educational Fund
Milwaukee
