Police officer: Wisconsin doesn't need law allowing its residents to carry

[jsalcedo]

Letters: Wisconsin doesn't need law allowing its residents to carry concealed weapons


I am a police officer with the City of Racine Police Department and a part-time police officer for another community in Racine County.


This is strictly my opinion and I am not speaking on behalf of the communities or law enforcement agencies that employ me.


The Wisconsin law against carrying a concealed firearm has worked effectively for over 130 years.


Deciding to pass a concealed carry law in Wisconsin that will allow almost every adult to carry a concealed firearm is a potentially dangerous decision. Carrying a concealed firearm and deciding to shoot another human being is different from what is perceived on television, in the movies or while playing a video game.


Allowing Wisconsin residents to carry concealed firearms may not reduce crime, if anything, crime may increase and there will be, without a doubt, more firearms in our homes and on our streets.


I strongly support the ability for people to defend themselves, but I don't believe that carrying a concealed firearm is the only way to accomplish this.


There are a lot of responsibilities that come with carrying a concealed firearm and being able to effectively use it against someone in their self-defense or in the defense of another human being.


I agree that retired law enforcement professionals should be permitted to carry a concealed firearm as long as they follow state and federal laws and those policies presented to them by their former law enforcement agencies.


I believe that there is no credible evidence that carrying a concealed firearm reduces crime, and that passing a concealed carry law in Wisconsin will do more harm than good.


ADAM A. MEYERS


Racine


http://www.sheboygan-press.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051123/SHE0601/511230307/1111/SHEopinion

 

[KriegHund]

I am a police officer with the City of Racine Police Department and a part-time police officer for another community in Racine County.

Wonder if he would still feel the same way were he not a police officer.

 

[warriorsociologist]

Not all that long ago, a man would have been able to argue that "our society has got along just fine without women voting...so we don't need them to be able to do it now..." But, that woulnd't have made it any more correct to deny women said right.

I agree with the posted above...and I too wonder how he'd think if he wasn't one of the privilaged caste.

(and yes, I AM and fmr LEO too)

 

[Strings]

Reply sent to the paper, we'll see if it gets printed...

 

[Standing Wolf]

The Wisconsin law against carrying a concealed firearm has worked effectively for over 130 years.

It's worked well for the criminals, anyway. It hasn't worked at all for their victims.

 

[Aguila Blanca]

I am a police officer with the City of Racine Police Department and a part-time police officer for another community in Racine County.

...

I agree that retired law enforcement professionals should be permitted to carry a concealed firearm as long as they follow state and federal laws and those policies presented to them by their former law enforcement agencies.

Translation: I support my right to self-defense, but not yours.

 

[LawDog]

So what makes Wisconsin citizens any different from the citizens of the Stattes that have already passed CCW laws?

It hasn't gotten any more dangerous anywhere else, so why does he think Wisconsin will be any different?

Bliss-ninny.

LawDog

 

[Travis Lee]

No, not a bliss-ninny, just an amed elitist.

 

[Matthew748]

I am sure the residents of Wisconsin would like to decide for themselves whether or not they should arm themselves. It's not like a resident of a state that issues a CCW permit is required to get one. If Mr. Meryers were to get laid off from his LEO job I bet he would change his tune in a heart beat.

 

[Justin]

Condescending, elitist statist.

Wonder how he did at his last qualifier...

 

[Atticus]

So what makes Wisconsin citizens any different from the citizens of the Stattes that have already passed CCW laws?

It hasn't gotten any more dangerous anywhere else, so why does he think Wisconsin will be any different?

Ya ever wonder how all those holes got in the cheese they eat up there?

 

[Jack T.]

Somebody from his county needs to call his station and let them know they will be shopping early Friday morning and will require an armed escort. . .since they can't be trusted to arm themselves. . .

 

[Werewolf]

Allowing Wisconsin residents to carry concealed firearms may not reduce crime, if anything, crime may increase and there will be, without a doubt, more firearms in our homes and on our streets.

That's what happens when one doesn't do any research they just assume and it seems at least half of that word attaches to this moron.

I strongly support the ability for people to defend themselves, but I don't believe that carrying a concealed firearm is the only way to accomplish this.

Well he's not wrong but what he leaves out is that CCW is the most efficient and effective means of self defense when one is old, out of shape, weak, handicapped or what ever other limiting factor might be in effect. Of course the implication is that the 22 year old 110 lb. female being attacked by a 230 lb male or the 65 year old guy being attacked can just run away or use what ever those other ways of self defense this prick alludes to to protect themselves.

There are a lot of responsibilities that come with carrying a concealed firearm and being able to effectively use it against someone in their self-defense or in the defense of another human being.

No kidding. And the history of CCW in the US since 1988 shows in detail that citizens who choose to go thru the rigamarole of asking permission to exercise their rights understand the responsibilities with an almost perfect record.

I agree that retired law enforcement professionals should be permitted to carry a concealed firearm as long as they follow state and federal laws and those policies presented to them by their former law enforcement agencies.

Again - this LEO is an elitist.

I believe that there is no credible evidence that carrying a concealed firearm reduces crime, and that passing a concealed carry law in Wisconsin will do more harm than good.

Didn't look too hard for evidence now did you you elitist thing we do not call people at THR!

Yeah! I'm ticked. This guy's attitude irks me to no end. :banghead: :banghead: Personally I hope this guy gets attacked by some 250 lb musclebound crackhead when he's about '70, unarmed and then gets stomped into the pavement. OH! WAIT! As a retired LEO he'll have the right to be armed not that it'll do him any good - if history's any indicator he'll miss all 15 shots he shoots out of his Glock 17.
(Adjusted by Don Gwinn)

 

[Hkmp5sd]

Typical, "I got mine, screw everyone else" mentality.

I believe that there is no credible evidence that carrying a concealed firearm reduces crime,

Someone want to send him a copy of Lott's More Guns, Less Crime?

 

[12-34hom]

Turn the record over..

As he stated - it's his opinion, only - not representing his agency or other Peace officers in general.

Is he not entitled to it? As to we are entitled to our views here at THR...

But because he works in LE - this guy deserves some special attention here?

Just what purpose does this thread serve? - what were the original intentions of the member who posted this? Are we supposed to getting an education here, how many other people who's professions run the gamut who hold these same views are not vilified time after time?

Lets move along here people - nothing to see here.

12-34hom.

 

[Atticus]

Most other professions don't reserve the right to defend life, limb and family to only themselves...and they certainly don't jail those who do. The FOP and State police fought against CC in Ohio...as I'm sure they will in Wisconsin. That's not cop bashing just a statement of fact.

 

[Flyboy]

I strongly support the ability for people to defend themselves, but I don't believe that carrying a concealed firearm is the only way to accomplish this.

No, it's not the only way.

It's just the best way.

 

[Hkmp5sd]

But because he works in LE - this guy deserves some special attention here?

Because he is a LE that is implying his opinion is based on his law enforcement knowledge, therefore implying that his opinion has more credence than that of the average civilian.

 

[jsalcedo]

Just what purpose does this thread serve? -

To inform folks regarding some of the attitudes and opinions we are up against.

Since this guy is a LEO I figured his attitudes might be of particular interest.

If you are not interested then don't read it.

 

[CAnnoneer]

I can see how CCW can make the job of a LEO a bit more difficult, but let's not make any mistake about it - police are paid to serve us, the law-abiding taxpayers, not the other way around. If little things like personal freedoms and right of adequate self-defense happen to be an inconvenience, well, then that is just part of the "to serve and protect" deal. Otherwise, we have statism and peasantry, rather than a free society of citizens.

 

[Pilgrim]

Wonder if he would still feel the same way were he not a police officer.

I expect his position would change if he had to leave his weapon at the police station when he went home after shift's end.

Pilgrim

 

[PCGS65]

Deciding to pass a concealed carry law in Wisconsin that will allow almost every adult to carry a concealed firearm is a potentially dangerous decision.

Deciding to give a drivers licence in Wisconsin that will allow almost every adult to drive a 3000lb+ automobile is also a potentially dangerous decision.

I believe that there is no credible evidence that carrying a concealed firearm reduces crime, and that passing a concealed carry law in Wisconsin will do more harm than good.

It's better to keep ones mouth shut and let someone think your an idiot than to open it and remove all doubt!

I agree that retired law enforcement professionals should be permitted to carry a concealed firearm as long as they follow state and federal laws and those policies presented to them by their former law enforcement agencies.

Why is hypocrisy so abundant?

I think this is enough. End of story.

 

[Burt Blade]

Has anyone called the Racine PD to see if they actually have a Mr. Adam Meyers?


Potential response in the letters column:

I live in Florida. After we passed our concealed carry law, crime dropped markedly. I personally have used a concealed firearm, several times, to make an attacker go do something else besides rob, injure or kill me. Just having it, and letting the miscreant know it, usually ends the problem without any injury, to anyone.

I guess it is easier for some people to feel brave and important if they make everyone else helpless and dependant on them.

 

[Sheldon J]

Sent this responce

to the paper

Adam: you need a reality check. You obviously have never read any of John Lott’s books, the FBI data, or any other information on the 30+ states that have successfully enacted concealed carry. In every instance violent crime, assault, robbery, and rape have dropped dramatically. There have been no shoot out’s in the streets, no vigilantes, to be precise the incident’s or problems from the honest citizens that jump through the hoops to obtain their concealed carry have been significantly less than 1% of the recipients, can you say that about and other program? The police are not there to protect, that is up to the individual so look around before you make blind statements like “I believe that there is no credible evidence that carrying a concealed firearm reduces crime” there is a lot of it just open your eyes and look around. No insult intended but remember this quote “It’s the criminals stupid”, for that is the reality of it all.

 

[Standing Wolf]

Every time a cop—even when he pretends to be just anybody—takes cheap shots at the nation's civil rights, I find it more difficult to respect cops. An awful lot of cops have gone miles out of their way to keep us separated from our Second Amendment civil rights.

If they want my respect, they can earn it the old-fashioned way: by respecting me.