Opinion
Concealed carry provides protection
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I grew up in Wisconsin. I am a University of Wisconsin alum, and many of my friends and family live in Madison. I am currently a police officer in South Dakota.
As a police officer, I may legally carry a concealed weapon when I visit my family in Madison. This is a right that should not only be afforded to police officers like myself, but all law-abiding citizens who choose to take on the extra responsibility to keep their families and their communities safe.
In my professional experience in South Dakota, a "shall-issue" concealed-carry state where permits are issued to anyone who can pass a background check, I have never had — nor heard of — any problems with a person legally carrying a concealed pistol. However, I do know of several instances where a legally possessed firearm has saved innocent lives during the commission of a violent crime.
Concealed-carry permit holders act as first responders, as do many ordinary citizens who know CPR, first aid or how to use a fire extinguisher. Their actions are often the difference between life and death. The same holds true for concealed-carry permit holders.
As police, we simply cannot be everywhere — nor would the public want us to be. When most violent criminal acts, including shootings, robberies, rampages and rape, are over within minutes — if not seconds — the response time of police is simply not fast enough. The training individuals will receive to obtain a concealed-weapons permit under the PPA will make them qualified first responders. Like those certified in first aid, we won't expect them to perform major surgery. But it will be adequate for stabilizing a bad situation until professionals arrive.
Those who oppose this law will try to claim that there will be gunfights, people will look for fights and "blood will run in the streets." In my professional experience, and after significant research I've completed on concealed-carry laws in other states, this is simply not true. In fact, I have not been able to find a single state that has legalized concealed carry in the last 50 years and has turned around and re-criminalized it. In fact, I have found concealed-carry permit holders in most states are far less likely to be involved in criminal activity than other citizens.
I do not believe I deserve special rights because I am a law enforcement officer. I am, and will always be, a citizen first. I believe there are many good members of our communities who are willing to take on extra responsibilities to keep their communities safe and to serve as first responders to stabilize dangerous situations. If they want to step up and be prepared to do their part if it is ever needed, as a police officer, I am thankful for their help.
Adrian Alan is a University of Wisconsin alumnus and municipal patrol officer in South Dakota.
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I don't have a problem with police officers from other cities carrying concealed weapons in Madison because they are constantly training and re-training to know when use of such a weapon is appropriate. Until ordinary, everyday citizens get the same ongoing training, I don't want them carrying concealed weapons. I believe my safety and the safety of my community are best served by limiting the right to carry concealed weapons to trained law enforcement officers.
If so, than this right must come with strong responsibility. If this concealed carry law passes, law enforcement must be strict with those who are lax with gun safety.
Let's just make sure people don't shoot first and ask questions later.
Thank you for this editorial. It was refreshing to hear an honest officer's opinion that hasn't been colored by the union's political stance.
A well-armed society is a polite society.
I sure do not want to be around to tell Grandpa that he is to old to drive, and to old to carry the concealed gun anymore. And certainly not when he is a victim of road rage on the highway, and he drives unsafe at 50 MPH in the 65. Grandpa has a temper. I was friends with a girl who I liked very much, she was not that girl anymore, after her father shot her mother at home and killed her here in Sheboygan, WI about 16 years ago. And also about 14 years back another friends sister was murdered by her husband who was an airline pilot. I am still pretty young, but yet 2 good mothers of friends I have known, are erased from our lives. These were sain people, grandpa is far from sane. Should I let someone else tell him, or wait until Grandpa gets bloody attention. Grandpa scares me now. Grandpa driving scares me to death, But his gun consumes 4 hours a day of his time, and he usually sleeps most all day because of his heart pills, and cancer treatment. How can I take away his favorite things. An orphan in Wisconsin.
Way to go Adrian! You're welcome at my site anytime, www.progunprogressive.com !!
We're trying to change CCW laws here in MD, and need the support of more right thinking officers like yourself. Please stop by my site when you get a chance. I'm going to post a link to your editorial.
Hear, hear. An intelligent take on concealed carry.
Sincere gratitude extended to Mr. Alan for affording us the opportunity to read his thoughtful considerations;-
Exemplary of personal knowledge; supported by individual experience; intelligently arranged...
and expressed from a position clearly revealing the Spirit of a True American.
SOCOM16@KeepAndBearArms.com
Isn't concealed carry allowed in something like 45 states without causing any problems? Many states have had CC laws for over 10yrs now and crime has DROPPED significantly as a result. I am a private citizen in South Carolina with a permit to carry. Rabid anti-gun people just don't understand this issue correctly. Much like those who felt that the USA should destroy all our nukes somehow believing that our enemies would never attack us. Firearms are an important tool to help you protect and maintain your individual safety and that of your family and community. Evidence shows that if one person in ten obtains a permit to carry, crime in your county will drop significantly as a result. Its your choice. More crime or more freedom. Do the right thing.
Great Commentary!
Wisconsin residents deserve the right to carry concealed handguns with a license. After all, they already have the right to carry handguns openly in public without any license.
I live in Pa and have a permit to carry my firearm consealed.
Chances are I will never have to use it. But it's a conforting feeling that I can protect myself and my family if the need arises!
I become uncomfortable when I vist states such as New York and New Jersey which have Nazi style gun laws..In those states only the bad guys have guns, innocent law abising citizens don't.
More publicity needs to be offered regarding the difference between 'open carry' which I think few states prohibit, and 'concealed carry' which presently is allowed in about 38 states. Though open carry may be easily restricted by public outcry or municipal statute (in my hometown, we may not open carry in city parks or on greenways), concealed carry does not suffer the same public resistance because no one can see the piece.
I truely appreciate the officer's opinion. I am a CCP holder in the State of Virginia and carry for my and my family's protection. Fortunately I have never had to use my firearm. The officer is completely correct in noting that the police cannot be everywhere and that most encounters with criminals take place in seconds or a few minutes. The police cannot be everywhere at all times. It is our duty as citizens to protect ourselves and our community. I would like to thank the officer for his sound opinions.
I liked the article. I live in WI and am an avid hunter. my father and I recently discussed this and he brought up a point on being held up at gun point in the mall. he said, "Think about it, some guy walks up to you and pulls his gun on you. If we had conceal and carry you could pull out your own and tell him 'No way dude.' Simple as that." I beleive in the whole concept and hope it will be passed. I also beleive that it will help the police in that when a crime is going on a bystander can help the victim if he/she is being held up at gun point or such. It will be a help more than a problem I think.
You honestly think if someone pulls a gun on you he's going to sit idly by while you reach into your jacket to get yours? In that scenario, you'd be dead.
1. You have a 'right' to carry a concealed weapon? Do I have an equal 'right' to live in a society that forbids your 'right' to carry such a weapon? I believe I do.
2. Conceal-carry laws reduce crime, per your 'statistics'? Do you believe all 'statistics' you read or hear? I do not.
3. Second Amendment: A WELL REGULATED MILITIA, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to kccp and bear arms shall not be infringed. So conceal-carry registrants are part of a 'well regulated militia'? I do not think so.