Constitutional Carry picks up steam in Wisconsin

[bnhcomputing]

It's been a couple weeks since the satisfying federal and state elections. Here in Wisconsin, we now have a republican controlled state senate, assembly, and a republican governor. The last time conceal carry legislation passed both state houses with veto proof majorities here in Wisconsin it was despite democrat control of those legislative bodies. Of course we all know Gov. Doyle vetoed that legislation.

MANY democrats in the state fully support conceal carry, but there are a few for whom many concessions were made to the last bill in front of the legislature to get that legislation to the governor. With republican control of both state houses the realties have DRASTICALLY shifted. Those concessions are NO longer necessary.

Right now one can open-carry in Wisconsin with NO permit and no registration, etc. 1000's of people open carry every day in Wisconsin. Conceal carry however is banned. In other states there are 2 kinds of conceal carry situations. Some states have what's called "shall issue" laws which means if you meet the qualifications set forth, the state MUST issue you a permit. Some of those qualifications include registration in the form of a permit, a permit tax that can vary widely, from a few $ to hundreds of dollars, mandatory training classes that may cost several hundred dollars, and sometimes even fingerprinting and frequent renewals where you must again pay an expensive permit fee and get re-fingerprinted. The other danger in a shall-issue permit system is that even if the original law has only a small permit tax, in future years when perhaps the state legislature is NOT as gun-rights friendly, they could EASILY jack up the permit tax to HUNDREDS of dollars through a simple budget bill and effectively stifle the ability of many people to afford to renew their permit. Its a dangerous slippery slope that leaves your right to carry at risk to future legislators. We know the Wisconsin legislature/governor is VERY pro-carry right now. You can't be sure after future elections it will be.

The trend is for more and more states to simply allow all law-abiding citizens to carry concealed without a permit. This is called "constitution carry". Constitution carry means you DO NOT have to register with the government, pay expensive fees for a permit, and be required to take expensive mandatory government training classes. You simply have a right to carry in the manner of your choosing as the constitution provides. There are 3 states that allow "constitution carry" Vermont, Alaska, and Arizona. Arizona just passed constitution carry last year. Other states including Utah and Texas are likely to become "constitution carry" states in the next year.

The last time conceal carry was in the legislature, the reality was a shall issue law or no concealed carry. That has changed. NOW with a republican senate, assembly, and governor, the two choices facing Wisconsin are a shall-issue permit system OR constitution carry. One of those options is a virtual certainty this next legislative session. It will be up to YOU to decide which it will be.

There are a number of reasons why constitution carry is the preferred scenario.

As I mentioned above, a shall-issue permit system means you have to register with the government, pay a permit tax (fee), possibly take expensive mandatory government training classes costing hundreds of dollars and even in some cases get fingerprinted.

In addition, a permit system would require a great deal of NEW government resources and databases to administer. This cost would amount to MILLIONS of dollars to implement a system and hundreds of new state government employees to staff that bureaucracy at a time when WISCONSIN IS IN A FISCAL CRISIS. As you all know, "smaller government" is the trend right now and a shall-issue permit bureaucracy flies in the face of that.

Constitution carry would require no fee's, no mandatory government training, no fingerprinting, no new bureaucracy, no waiting months for your permit and no future renewal requirements where you have to go through and pay all that again. Wisconsin Statute 941.23 is the conceal carry ban. If that 130+ year old statute was simply repealed, Wisconsin would become a Constitution Carry state. Wisconsin also needs to repeal 167.31 which would allow you to carry in your vehicle (currently you have to unload and encase your weapon when you get in your car)

Wisconsin Carry believes there will never be a better time to get constitution carry in Wisconsin than RIGHT now.:

-At their state convention in Milwaukee this past summer, the Wisconsin Republican Party voted the right to carry concealed WITHOUT a permit into their official platform.

-Wisconsin Governor Elect Scott Walker has gone ON RECORD stating that IF the legislature gets a repeal of 941.23 to his desk, HE WILL SIGN IT.

-We have a republican controlled state senate, assembly, and republican governor.

There is NO reason we can't have Constitution Carry in Wisconsin. We just need to let our legislators know that is what we want.

Wisconsin Carry, Inc. has been contacted by the United States Conceal Carry Association which has a huge national AND in-state footprint. The USCCA and Wisconsin Carry are in agreement that Constitution Carry is right for Wisconsin and feasible this legislative session.

Wisconsin Carry and the USCCA will be working together on this issue to present a united front in Wisconsin to obtain Constitution Carry for our law-abiding residents.

WHAT CAN YOU DO.

With YOUR help we can make this happen. 3 things. Contact your state senator and assemblymen, Contact Governor Elect Scott Walker, and Contact OTHER gun-rights groups in Wisconsin and ask them to join Wisconsin Carry AND the USCCA and present a united front seeking Constitution Carry In Wisconsin.

First, contact your state senator and assembly person and ask that they support Constitution Carry. Politely share with them that since any law abiding citizen in Wisconsin carry currently open-carry with no permit, it makes no sense to have to register with the government and pay expensive permit taxes and submit to mandatory government training just to be able to conceal.

Ask your legislators to support a repeal of 941.23 and 167.31. Share with them that Wisconsin is facing a fiscal crisis, and there is nothing to gain from enacting a new bureaucracy to administer a shall-issue permit system.

You can find your legislators here:

Link Removed

Many legislators were just elected 2 weeks ago and they will not take office until Jan 3rd. You should be able to contact those legislators through their campaign websites/facebook pages etc.

Here is a link to all the state election results:

Fall 2010 general election results - JSOnline

Second here is a link to contact options to contact Governor Elect Scott Walker. Governor Walker is already on record stating he will sign a repeal of 941.23. Thank him for agreeing to sign that repeal. Ask him to ask the legislature to get a quick clean bill to his desk that would repeal 941.23 and 167.31, which would cost the state nothing, provide our LONG awaited right to conceal carry and allow the state to move on to the business of fixing Wisconsin's fiscal crisis.

email: [email protected]

mail:

Office of Governor-Elect Scott Walker
17 West Main Street, Suite 301
Madison WI 53702

suggestion form: Link Removed

THIRD Contact other gun rights groups in Wisconsin and politely ask them to JOIN Wisconsin Carry, Inc. and the United States Conceal Carry Association to present a united front to bring Constitution Carry to Wisconsin. Many of these groups are currently evaluating their position on conceal carry given the election results. Let them know that you support Consitution Carry and you hope they do as well.

Wisconsin Concealed Carry Association:

WCCA
N3292 County Rd E
REDGRANITE, WI 54970
Wisconsin Concealed Weapons, The Wisconsin Concealed Carry Association

BY PHONE: 920.295.9435

BY EMAIL: info @ wisconsinconcealedcarry.com

BOARD MEMBERS:
Bill Schmitz, Chairman
bill.schmitz @ wisconsinconcealedcarry.com

WI-Force: (state NRA chartered association)

Wi-FORCE - Wisconsin's NRA State Association

President:
Jeff Nass
[email protected]
N615 Silver Ln.
Pulaski WI 54162-8320
920-687-0505

Vice President:
Jim Proulx
[email protected]
9356 W. Dixon St.
Milwaukee, Wi. 53214-1268
414-778-1898

Treasurer:
Paul Baumann
[email protected]
P.O.Box 808
Kenosha, WI 53141-0808
Phone: 262-551-7848

Secretary:
Gary Nichols
[email protected]
W271N7055 Hansen Dr
Sussex, WI 53089
262-246-3317
Cell 262-364-8737

National Rifle Association Contacts:

NRA Director:
Buster Bachhuber
[email protected]
2603 Julip Drive
Wausau, WI 54401
(715) 675-9230

NRA Field Representative:
Scott Taetsch
[email protected]
PO Box 157
Gleason, WI 54435-0157
Office: 715-873-3360
Fax: 715-873-3361

NRA-ILA Representative:
Jordan Austin
[email protected]
National Rifle Association
11250 Waples Mill Road
Fairfax, VA 22030
702-267-1222


NRA-ILA Grassroots Coordinator:
Katrina Ruminski
[email protected]
NRA-ILA Grassroots Division
11250 Waples Mill Road
Fairfax, VA 22030
Phone: (703) 267-1194
Fax: (703) 267-3918

Carry On!

 

[bigdaddy1]

I have emailed my district congressman, explaining what I as a Wisconsin resident would expect. Rather than leaving up to them to decide what they think is best for us. Feel free to copy the format if you would like to send something to your representative.

Dear Senator Carpenter,

I am writing to you regarding my right of self protection, the second amendment of the United States and our own state Constitution. The right to keep and bear arms was so important to our forefathers they chose to make it second only to the right to our freedom of speech. For many years government has been restricting this right more and more, making it nearly impossible for the average citizen to exercise this guaranteed right. It is my understanding that you and other Wisconsin Senate members are contemplating a concealed carry permit system for Wisconsin that would require special licensing and mandatory training. I do not agree with this action as no other right guaranteed by our Constitution requires any type of license or training. Currently we are legally able to carry firearms openly with out a license, registration or any mandated training, so to make it a requirement now would be against our own constitution and a reversal of rights we already have. Making these requirements degrades the right to a privilege. The right to defend oneself should never become a privilege. I believe the best position for Wisconsin to take would be constitutional carry, where the constitution is the only documentation needed to exercise our guaranteed right to keep and bear arms. If a person is legally able to purchase a weapon, that person should be able to carry a firearm where ever and how ever he or she feels is necessary.

When criminals have greater rights than victims, there is a serious problem. A problem Wisconsin currently has. Wisconsin needs to enact a castle doctrine so the citizens of this state can defend themselves from violent criminals and not fear reprisal or a civil suit. The right of self protection is not limited to the household, and neither should our rights. I should have the right to protect myself where ever I may legally be. Feel good laws like the gun free school zone do nothing to prevent criminals from carrying guns, only honest law abiding citizens are going to follow these laws. I should be able to walk out of my yard in my own neighborhood armed with out risk of arrest and a felony charge just because there is a school with in a quarter mile from my home. Car jacking and kidnapping are real threats in todays world, we deserve the right to protect ourselves when driving also. Laws that prevent concealed carry and restrictive transportation laws were put into place to protect the police, but left the citizens at risk. I would hope as a representative of the people of Wisconsin it would be your intent to protect your constituents and their rights.

In closing, I would ask you to look toward states such as Vermont, Arizona and Alaska that currently have constitutional carry in place, and states like Utah and Texas that are poised to approve it this year. Wisconsin need to be in the forefront for the peoples rights. The right to keep and bear arms must be protected as our forefathers intended, not as our elected bureaucrats choose to allow. It is equally important that we enact laws to reverse the trend of granting greater rights to criminals than the victims they prey upon. Wisconsin should repeal the Constitutionally illegal gun free school zone and apply pressure to the federal government to repeal the law completely. Criminals will not obey these laws, and it is foolish to expect them to. Finally Wisconsin need to eliminate the overly restrictive transportation laws. The right to protect oneself, family or property where ever that person may be should never be a question, but upheld as the right it really is.


Sincerely,

3rd District
Wisconsin

 

[Bhancock]

Thanks for the help. I have contacted my representatives and will continue to do so throughout the year.

I have emailed my district congressman, explaining what I as a Wisconsin resident would expect. Rather than leaving up to them to decide what they think is best for us. Feel free to copy the format if you would like to send something to your representative.

Dear Senator Carpenter,

I am writing to you regarding my right of self protection, the second amendment of the United States and our own state Constitution. The right to keep and bear arms was so important to our forefathers they chose to make it second only to the right to our freedom of speech. For many years government has been restricting this right more and more, making it nearly impossible for the average citizen to exercise this guaranteed right. It is my understanding that you and other Wisconsin Senate members are contemplating a concealed carry permit system for Wisconsin that would require special licensing and mandatory training. I do not agree with this action as no other right guaranteed by our Constitution requires any type of license or training. Currently we are legally able to carry firearms openly with out a license, registration or any mandated training, so to make it a requirement now would be against our own constitution and a reversal of rights we already have. Making these requirements degrades the right to a privilege. The right to defend oneself should never become a privilege. I believe the best position for Wisconsin to take would be constitutional carry, where the constitution is the only documentation needed to exercise our guaranteed right to keep and bear arms. If a person is legally able to purchase a weapon, that person should be able to carry a firearm where ever and how ever he or she feels is necessary.

When criminals have greater rights than victims, there is a serious problem. A problem Wisconsin currently has. Wisconsin needs to enact a castle doctrine so the citizens of this state can defend themselves from violent criminals and not fear reprisal or a civil suit. The right of self protection is not limited to the household, and neither should our rights. I should have the right to protect myself where ever I may legally be. Feel good laws like the gun free school zone do nothing to prevent criminals from carrying guns, only honest law abiding citizens are going to follow these laws. I should be able to walk out of my yard in my own neighborhood armed with out risk of arrest and a felony charge just because there is a school with in a quarter mile from my home. Car jacking and kidnapping are real threats in todays world, we deserve the right to protect ourselves when driving also. Laws that prevent concealed carry and restrictive transportation laws were put into place to protect the police, but left the citizens at risk. I would hope as a representative of the people of Wisconsin it would be your intent to protect your constituents and their rights.

In closing, I would ask you to look toward states such as Vermont, Arizona and Alaska that currently have constitutional carry in place, and states like Utah and Texas that are poised to approve it this year. Wisconsin need to be in the forefront for the peoples rights. The right to keep and bear arms must be protected as our forefathers intended, not as our elected bureaucrats choose to allow. It is equally important that we enact laws to reverse the trend of granting greater rights to criminals than the victims they prey upon. Wisconsin should repeal the Constitutionally illegal gun free school zone and apply pressure to the federal government to repeal the law completely. Criminals will not obey these laws, and it is foolish to expect them to. Finally Wisconsin need to eliminate the overly restrictive transportation laws. The right to protect oneself, family or property where ever that person may be should never be a question, but upheld as the right it really is.


Sincerely,

3rd District
Wisconsin

 

[hardballer]

Great posting BNH...Thanks...

 

[BamaBoy]

If Wisconsin does become "shall issue" and requires a normal fee for a CCW permit (something on the order of $25 annually), the courts might strike down an attempt to impose an extreme increase later, especially if it was an obvious ploy to discourage people from obtaining a permit.

Some Democrat in New Jersey wants to make the Soprano State "shall issue"—at a fee of $500 a year. (NJ, where the annual property taxes on a three-bedroom ranch house can be $10,000, is broke, is case you didn't know.)

 

[bnhcomputing]

NRA Supporting Constitutional Carry in Iowa. Wisconsin is next (we hope)

The NRA-ILA has pulbicly come out in SUPPORT of Constitutional Carry for the state of Iowa. Where as Wisconsin continues to make progress regarding our right to keep and bear arms, and where as the Wisconsin Legislature is expected to take up concealed carry legislation in 2011, we would HOPE the NRA-ILA would come forward and support CONSTITUTIONAL CARRY for Wisconsin in 2011 as well.

Link Removed

 

[bigdaddy1]

I don't understand how they can support it in one state and not for all? Unless I am mistaken, this is still all one country. The NRA needs to get off its collective azzes and get unified.

 

[BamaBoy]

I don't understand how they can support it in one state and not for all? Unless I am mistaken, this is still all one country.

I think that in principle they do support Constitutional Carry in all states, even gun-phobic New Jersey and Maryland, where there's no chance whatsoever of winning CC through the legislature, at least at present. Unless you were confident the U.S. Supreme Court would strike down the concealed carry laws in those states (doubtful), it would probably be smart not to pick a fight you're going to lose.

In the case of Wisconsin, trying for progress a step at a time might make the most sense. If first you win "shall issue," it will be much easier to win Constitutional Carry later, after the dire predictions of the anti-gun crowd don't come about. Of course, you have to know the politics of the state and what is realistically possible. Remember, 25 years ago both Alaska and Arizona were "no issue." Before they could become CC, they had to see that having law-abiding citizens armed was actually positive for the state. An attempt to force those states to jump immediately from "no issue" to CC would have failed.

The Supreme Court made favorable rulings in Heller and McDonald, but they noted specifically that the decisions would not affect state laws regarding carrying concealed. The Supreme Court was a big help against the outright gun bans of crime-ridden cities run by authoritarian leftists, but most of the progress in concealed carry has come from victories in state legislatures, not the courts.

 

[J.Gleason]

I don't understand how they can support it in one state and not for all? Unless I am mistaken, this is still all one country. The NRA needs to get off its collective azzes and get unified.

It isn't the NRA so to speak. It is the NRA liaison for Wisconsin that has his head in the Keester of Gene German and is strongly in favor of mandated training. He is the one who is over looking Constitutional carry for wisconsin. He has is sights set on Shall issue with mandatory training. try to change his mind and see how many names he calls you just like he did me. I know his superiors were not happy about his lack of professionalism when I spoke to them. It may be best to skip past him and work with his superiors. maybe then we will get something done in Wisconsin.

 

[bigdaddy1]

Does this bozo run or have an interest in a training business???? If so that would be a BIG conflict of interest and he should be removed from his position.

 

[bnhcomputing]

I don't understand how they can support it in one state and not for all? Unless I am mistaken, this is still all one country.

I think that in principle they do support Constitutional Carry in all states, even gun-phobic New Jersey and Maryland, where there's no chance whatsoever of winning CC through the legislature, at least at present. Unless you were confident the U.S. Supreme Court would strike down the concealed carry laws in those states (doubtful), it would probably be smart not to pick a fight you're going to lose.

In the case of Wisconsin, trying for progress a step at a time might make the most sense. If first you win "shall issue," it will be much easier to win Constitutional Carry later, after the dire predictions of the anti-gun crowd don't come about.
[
1. The GOP including the Governor Elect ran on a SMALLER GOVERNMENT platform. New state employees right out of the box is not smaller government. If the GOP goes that route, they LOOSE the TEA Party AND the GOP looses the legislature in 2012.

2. You will NEVER get rid of the ANTI gun crowd and their FEAR comments.

3. Thousands are "Open Carrying" already today, so the fear mongering myths have been dispelled already.

4. No permit means no tax. WI has a history of INCREASING, not reducing or ending fees. If WI goes with a permit system, we'll be stuck with it for 50+ years.

5. NOBODY has yet to show a difference between "OC" (Free in WI today) and CC (Illegal in WI today) such that OC is free and CC should require $300+ in fees and taxes. Can anybody show the difference?

6. With $300 in fees and taxes, an entire socio-economic class will be left without the "permit." What about the poor people? The ones who need the ability the most will be least likely to afford it making self-defense only for the "PRIVILEGED."
] Of course, you have to know the politics of the state and what is realistically possible. Remember, 25 years ago both Alaska and Arizona were "no issue." Before they could become CC, they had to see that having law-abiding citizens armed was actually positive for the state. An attempt to force those states to jump immediately from "no issue" to CC would have failed.
[
Here I agree 100%, twenty-five (25) years ago things were different. Since then, WI has added a constitutional amendment protecting our RTKBA AND a county judge has already declared the current ban on CC in WI unconstitutional.

If the legislature enacts a permit system, would that REMOVE a right from the individuals in that county and replace it with a permit? I can see the residents of that county immediately challenging the constitutionality of having their right reduced to a privilege. It could/would keep implementation of CC in WI tied up for years.
]

The Supreme Court made favorable rulings in Heller and McDonald, but they noted specifically that the decisions would not affect state laws regarding carrying concealed. The Supreme Court was a big help against the outright gun bans of crime-ridden cities run by authoritarian leftists, but most of the progress in concealed carry has come from victories in state legislatures, not the courts.
[
Again, I'll site Clark County, WI. The COURT declared the outright BAN on CC in WI unconstitutional. The only results (regarding gun rights) that WI has seen in the past 12 years has come from/through the courts.
]

Visit Wisconsin Carry, Inc. to learn more.

 

[BamaBoy]

Good points, bnhcomputing. If in fact you can win through the courts, then you should not hesitate to take that path. Apparently in Wisconsin the judiciary, most of the politicians, and certainly the citizens would be OK with an Arizona-type system. I would guess that a statewide pro-gun referendum would pass. In that kind of climate, get all you can.

But the situation is quite different in certain other states. In New Jersey, for example, the judiciary, most of the politicians, and unfortunately most of the citizens are anti-gun. Any pro-gun referendum would probably lose. Remember, the hunters, blue-collar workers, and middle class have been fleeing NJ for decades. The population loss is only partly defrayed by immigrants who do not come from pro-gun cultures (generally Asians on the economic top and Hispanics on the bottom). NJ is nothing like the libertarian state it was in the (now-distant) past. Its politics are dominated by limousine liberals, intellectuals, public-sector unions, and the chronic poor. The legislature, for example, passed one-gun-a-month, microstamping of firing pins, a ban on nonexistent "plastic" guns, and every other idiotic notion it could. In pay-to-play New Jersey, concealed carry is possible only with an "honorarium" so large that even wealthy people choke on it.

Philosophically, I think the entire nation should be like Arizona, Alaska, and Vermont. Still, I can understand a permit that requires a background check and a nominal fee, as long as it's truly "shall issue." But I will concede that any such system entails the risk that politicians will see it as a cash cow. Some states already use the permit system to enrich their training organizations.

 

[bigdaddy1]

I know the "schools" are lobbying hard for mandatory training so they can cash in on the newly authorized concealed carry law. Its all about the almighty buck. I think its pretty sh*tty myself.

 

[J.Gleason]

I say we should vote BNHComputing as our new NRA Wisconsin liaison! I like his ideas, thoughts and points on this entire issue.

 

[BamaBoy]

Troll alert. Please do not feed this troll.

 

[Eagle2009]

At the moment there is no such thing as truly legal "constitutional carry" in any populated area of the country. The Federal Gun Free School Zones Act of 1995 makes it a felony for anyone with a functional firearm to travel on any public sidewalk, road, or highway that passes within 1000 feet of the property line of any K-12 school in the country. The only exception is if the person has a carry-license physically issued by the State where the school is located, the Federal GFSZA 1995 doesn't even make an exception for a permit holder carrying under a reciprocity agreement.

http://www.usacarry.com/forums/poli...ently-banned-under-federal-law-important.html

 

[bigdaddy1]

At the moment there is no such thing as truly legal "constitutional carry" in any populated area of the country. The Federal Gun Free School Zones Act of 1995 makes it a felony for anyone with a functional firearm to travel on any public sidewalk, road, or highway that passes within 1000 feet of the property line of any K-12 school in the country. The only exception is if the person has a carry-license physically issued by the State where the school is located, the Federal GFSZA 1995 doesn't even make an exception for a permit holder carrying under a reciprocity agreement.

http://www.usacarry.com/forums/poli...ently-banned-under-federal-law-important.html

Wisconsin Carry Inc is currently taking this task to court. Please visit, join and support this effort.

 

[CalicoJack10]

I know the "schools" are lobbying hard for mandatory training so they can cash in on the newly authorized concealed carry law. Its all about the almighty buck. I think its pretty sh*tty myself.

Not all of the schools are doing that. I actually at present teach free open carry classes, and I charge group rates for private instruction on all of my CCW related stuff. I also teach free to kids ages 8 to 17, and law enforcement/military for certain classes. I could care less about the money involved as long as we don't have people involved in "Accidental Shootings", mostly because in the long run, that will hurt the idea of CC in Wisconsin, as well as everywhere else.

Though I do appreciate the statement that you made, after all that is the reason I got certified as an instructor, I would rather teach at cost or for free just to make sure that the Anti's can't keep finding reasons to bash those of us that would stand for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The only reason I say "At Cost" is because it does cost money to teach some of these courses, especially the NRA courses.

If Wisconsin does become a constitutional carry state, you can bet that I will be teaching free/at cost classes for CCW too.

The idea of carrying a firearm is more about preventing the loss of life than it is about the ability to take a life. In my eyes, and in the eyes of my assistant instructors, it has nothing to do with money, and everything to do with keeping people safe.

 

[bigdaddy1]

Not all of the schools are doing that. I actually at present teach free open carry classes, and I charge group rates for private instruction on all of my CCW related stuff. I also teach free to kids ages 8 to 17, and law enforcement/military for certain classes. I could care less about the money involved as long as we don't have people involved in "Accidental Shootings", mostly because in the long run, that will hurt the idea of CC in Wisconsin, as well as everywhere else.

Though I do appreciate the statement that you made, after all that is the reason I got certified as an instructor, I would rather teach at cost or for free just to make sure that the Anti's can't keep finding reasons to bash those of us that would stand for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The only reason I say "At Cost" is because it does cost money to teach some of these courses, especially the NRA courses.

If Wisconsin does become a constitutional carry state, you can bet that I will be teaching free/at cost classes for CCW too.

The idea of carrying a firearm is more about preventing the loss of life than it is about the ability to take a life. In my eyes, and in the eyes of my assistant instructors, it has nothing to do with money, and everything to do with keeping people safe.

I appreciate your concern over the anti's using the potential of accidental or wrongful shootings. I would look toward Virginia and Alaska which has been a Constitutional Carry states for many years, and I don't remember hearing any stories about mass accidental or wrongful shootings from those states. While I agree that training is advised, and I recommend it (especially if its free :biggrin but disagree with making it a requirement. Doing so degrades it to a privilege rather than a right.