Only one way to bear arms – openly

My column for the West Bend Daily News is online.  It’s called, “Only one way to bear arms – openly.”  You didn’t think I’d leave this topic alone, did you?  Here’s a snippet:

Unfortunately, some law enforcement officers reacted with the bravado of school yard bullies. Milwaukee Police Chief Ed Flynn, of whom I’ve been a fan, reacted by saying that if his officers observe someone openly carrying a firearm, they would be instructed to “put them on the ground, take the gun away and then decide whether you have a right to carry it.” Several other police chiefs reacted in similar veins.

   The reaction is chilling. Openly carrying a firearm is one of our rights enshrined and protected in not one, but two Constitutions for Wisconsinites. Yet here we have law enforcement officers openly declaring that they will make it a policy to harass, physically accost and seize the property of people who are merely exercising their rights. If such a policy were enacted against those exercising their First Amendment rights, it would be universally condemned.

   We are now faced with the prospect of civil rights suits being filed against police departments that unconstitutionally deprive citizens of their right to openly carry a firearm, disruption in the lives of law-abiding citizens, and the specter of someone ending up shot. In fact, one such suit has already been filed in federal court in Wisconsin.

   Openly carrying a firearm is legal and constitutionally protected. If the police and lawmakers don’t want guns in the open, I invite them to aggressively advance sensible legislation for concealed carry. Until then, I will wear my gun outside my pants for all the honest world to feel.