Alderman Wants to Restrict Freedom

This guy just doesn’t get it. 

Ted Jarosh, who describes himself as a strong defender of the right to own and legally carry guns, said last week he will ask the city attorney Tuesday whether the city could classify certain acts of so-called open carry as disturbing the peace.

Jarosh cited a case from earlier this year in which a West Allis man was ticketed for carrying a gun in a holster while working in his yard. Police issued a ticket, but a judge dismissed it.

“I think that if you carry a firearm to mow your lawn - unless you fear polar bears or pterodactyls are going to attack you - you’re disturbing the peace,” Jarosh said.

Here’s the thing about rights… we don’t have to explain it to the government when we choose to exercise them.  I don’t have to justify my blathering on this blog and the overall societal value because I have a right to speak freely.  I don’t have to explain it to my government when I assert my 5th amendment right against self-incrimination.  I don’t have to justify my right to due process or to assemble in protest.  And I don’t have to explain myself if I want to strap a sidearm to my hip and go about my business.  It’s my RIGHT. 

That point aside, the alderman’s proposal is illegal.  Wisconsin state law does not allow municipalities to impose restrictions on guns that are more restrictive than state law.