Veto concealed-carry until flaws are fixed

Monday, December 19, 2005 9:02 AM CST

"Anyone that screws us on this legislation - Democrat or Republican, Assembly or Senate - the NRA is going to work unbelievably earnestly, taking no prisoners, on this next election cycle."

Right. Just take him out behind the legislative district and cap his political behind.

The quote belongs to state Rep. Dave Zien, the Eau Claire Republican, as he warned lawmakers against voting against the concealed-carry legislation that passed the Senate last week.

Frankly the idea of Zien packing heat gives us the willies. But more important than that, we oppose the concealed-carry bill because it elevates the rights of those who wish to carry handguns and other weapons above the rights of those businesses that do not wish to have firearms on their premises.

We have asked repeatedly that the legislation be amended to allow businesses to ban concealed-carry in their own buildings by simply posting a sign.

While there were a raft of amendments to gain the necessary votes for passage, that change was not made and the legislation would require businesses not only to post such a sign but to orally notify each person who comes onto their property that guns are banned.

That is an unreasonable demand that poses an undo burden upon state's businesses and intrudes on their rights to determine what happens on their own premises.

We would urge Gov. Jim Doyle to once again veto the concealed carry law.

We would also encourage the legislators who have been on the cusp on this bill to resist the threats of Zien and the National Rifle Association and sustain that veto and to continue to do so until those who sponsor such bills have the good sense to write it in a way that respects the rights of others.

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