Posted on Thursday, 21st May 2009 by Bruce
Hey, Governor Doyle. Help us “connect the dots” here:
“John Antonetz and his wife, Lydia Pace-Atonetz, were loading groceries into their vehicle in a Wal-Mart parking lot when, police say, a man wearing a disguise announced a robbery. The couple tried to run from the robber, but he struck Pace-Antonetz, grabbed her purse and pointed a gun at the couple. That’s when Antonetz, a 63 year-old dentist with a concealed-carry permit, retrieved his .357-caliber revolver from the vehicle. As the suspect continued threatening his wife, Antonetz rounded the vehicle and fired several shots. The suspect, who was on parole for a burglary conviction, was arrested by the police when he sought treatment for a gunshot wound at a local hospital.” - Source: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Lowell Ark., 3/25/09“Coincidentally, another act by armed citizenry took place in a Wal-Mart parking lot in March. In that incident, police say 28 year-old Joshua Eastman was loading groceries into his vehicle when a teenage thug pointed a gun at him and demanded cash. The quick-thinking Eastman opened the door to his vehicle to form a barrier between himself and the suspect. The clever act may have saved his life. The suspect fired a shot through the door’s window, which narrowly missed Eastman but propelled glass shards into his face. Eastman, a concealed-carry permit holder, drew his .32-caliber handgun, dropped below the door and shot his assailant three times. The suspect fled, but police located him nearby.” - Source: The Pocono Record, Stroudsburg, Penn., 3/20/09
“Police say a robber wearing a ski mask decided to target a busy Burger King restaurant just before the dinner hour. The robber demanded money and flashed a gun wildly, endangering the lives of many patrons and employees around him. One customer, John Landers, had seen enough. Landers told the 18 year-old robber to lower his gun and stop pointing it at people. The robber responded by shooting Landers several times. It was a mistake he’d quickly regret. Landers, a concealed-carry permit holder, drew his handgun and shot the robber, killing him. At press time, Landers was in the hospital recovering from injuries. Police say his actions may have saved a number of lives.” - Source: The Miami Herald, Miami, Fla., 3/25/09
Here’s a hint: The answer to the similarity connecting these three stories is NOT that they all took place in crowded fast-food restaurants or super-retailers’ parking lots.
Although, one might theorize that were Jim Doyle and most “progressive” leaders to read these accounts, their immediate solution would be to introduce legislation making fast-food restaurants and Wal-Mart parking lots “Gun Free Commerce Zones.”
(Above excerpts reprinted, with permission, from the June 2009 issue of America’s First Freedom, the Official Journal of the National Rifle Association.)
Posted in Home | Comments (25)
May 21st, 2009 at 9:18 pm
I’m sorry Bruce, but Mr.Doyle is busy breaking campaign pledges not to raise taxes. He’ll get back to on this matter at his earliest convenience.
May 22nd, 2009 at 1:16 am
Techinally, you are not allowed to have firearms on Wal-Mart property. But, hey, details.
May 22nd, 2009 at 7:08 am
Really? The WalMart in East Syracuse has a whole case of ‘em.
May 22nd, 2009 at 7:17 am
Dan,
You’re wrong. Many Wal-Marts sell firearms and related accessories. In fact, many shotguns and rifles can be ordered from Wal-Mart on line, and picked up at a properly licensed retail location. In fact, there are several of them right here in Wisconsin.
Case in point: The Wal-Mart in Tomah stocks shotguns and rifles. They have tons of them, right there, in the store. I personally watched a person purchase and take delivery of a Savage Arms 30-06 at the Wal-Mart in Tomah less than a month ago. Most Wal-Marts sell shotgun shells and rifle cartridges, and many sell handgun ammo from the case behind the sporting goods counter.
But hey, details. Details, schmetails.
May 22nd, 2009 at 7:40 am
Several gun forums repeat the same message, supposedly Wal-mart’s corporate policy:
“Thank you for contacting Wal-Mart regarding our concealed handgun policy. Wal-Mart was founded by Sam Walton on three basic principles. Strive for Excellance, Service to our Customers, and Respect for the Individual. It is that respect for the individual that led us to create the current policy pertaining to concealed handguns. The following is our policy… If a Wal-Mart customer has been awarded a concealed handgun license by the state government, Wal-Mart will follow the direction of the state. However, if at anytime while on Wal-Mart property, that customer’s concealed weapon becomes visible to Wal-Mart associates or customers, Wal-Mart reserves the right to ask the customer to either reposition the weapon so that it will not be visible, to remove the weapon completely or to leave Wal-Mart property.
With the exception of law enforcement personnel, Wal-Mart does not allow any exposed weapons to be worn or carried in public view on Wal-Mart property or in Wal-Mart stores. Customers other than law enforcement personnel wearing or carrying a weapon in an exposed manner will be asked to leave the property immediately.”
That sounds like they don’t allow open carry on their property.
May 22nd, 2009 at 7:48 am
Well, Mr. Foust, I watched a guy “open carry” his new Savage Arms 30-06 right out the front door of the Tomah Wal-Mart, less than a month ago. But I guess I pointed that out already.
Perhaps they’re willing to look the other way when the end result has them generating a couple of profit dollars.
Actually, several TV news stations around the state recently have featured video of gun-rights activists open-carrying on Wal-Mart properties without incident.
May 22nd, 2009 at 8:12 am
sounds like Wal Mart is leaving the question of open carry up to its management.
I have personally open carried in a few MN Wal Marts with no questions asked no one even blinked.
May 22nd, 2009 at 8:16 am
I wonder what Diamond Jim’s opinion would be if HE were in a fast food place without his usual contingent of state-paid armed guards, i.e., State Troopers, and some doofus started shouting and waving a pistol around. As a combat veteran I’ve gotta tell ya’ - no magazine holds enough rounds, and no caliber seems big enough!
I guess Mr. Foust would pull a sheet of paper out of his briefcase, pointing out the merchant’s policy of not permiting firearms in his place of business. That oughta’ work great.
May 22nd, 2009 at 8:27 am
I well understand that Wal-Mart sells guns and ammo. The policy I quoted says “concealed handgun policy”.
Obviously, if they’re selling (unloaded) weapons they let you carry them out of the store. If you loaded it before checkout, that would be a different story, wouldn’t it?
May 22nd, 2009 at 8:43 am
Bruce…were you able to directly ask Doyle his opinion on this, his liberally addled mind would likely propose legislation outlawing Walmart and Burger King as nuisance properties that attract crime. You think I’m kidding? What did Milwaukee’s liberally addled aldermen propose to solve the cruising problem?
May 22nd, 2009 at 12:19 pm
Everyone should know about, and join, the recall Doyle effort. Go to http://www.recalldoyle.com, and sign up! We already have a third of the people we need to get the recall done. We could have him outta there by the end of the summer!
May 22nd, 2009 at 12:20 pm
We should take a look at why they are trying to take the guns away, with your freedom:
Rough estimate:
WI, Total gun deaths = ~450 people
~50% suicide = 225 people
~12.3% child related = ~55 children
~105 (2007) in Milwaukee alone (unknown percentage of suicide)
Blacks ~2.4 times more likely than white.
Solution: Provide a means for people to take themselves out quietly, with out gun?
The children have a much worse chance of being killed by their own doctor, in a car, or by their own parent.
Do not use the save the children technique to take our constitutional right away, its just not right.
May 22nd, 2009 at 7:24 pm
I believe the similiarities in these stories is that these people used a firearm to defend themselves, and in states that have concealed carry laws.
May 22nd, 2009 at 7:35 pm
BING BING BING
Silvermare, nicely done. You win.
You have earned nothing, other than the accolades of BadgerBlogger staff, and the knowledge that you’re not just another pretty face.
May 22nd, 2009 at 7:36 pm
Again Mr. Foust I have openly carried A Handgun in several MN Wal Marts.
There haven’t been any problems, no one took any notice at all.
May 23rd, 2009 at 9:57 am
Well, Jay, then perhaps you can find a Wal-mart policy that talks more explicitly about open carry in Minnesota. Send corporate a note. Ask your local manager. I’m not doubting you open carried in the manner you described, but we’re talking about policy, right?
May 23rd, 2009 at 12:05 pm
Foust said “That sounds like they don’t allow open carry on their property.”
Jay was not talking about a “policy”. Jay was referring to the “real world”.
In reading the thread, I don’t see any mention of the word “policy” in Jay’s comments.
The real world. You should try it.
May 23rd, 2009 at 6:31 pm
I’ll be sure to do that Comrade Foust.
The policy you cited allows for carry open or concealed at the stores discretion. I have never heard of anyone in this State being requested to leave a Wal Mart and they do not post. Same with Target, Sears, Kmart, Menards, Home Depot…
In MN businesses that do not want firearms on their property have to either post a sign at each entrance or ask the person to leave. Penalty is trespassing about a 25 to 50 dollar fine.
May 23rd, 2009 at 6:44 pm
Jay,
I’m curious. How many times, while going about your daily routine, running errands, etc. during your tenure as a CCP holder have you had to alter or modify your routine due to a MN merchant/private property owner “posting” a “no firearms” request on their property?
Is it legal to have a loaded, uncased handgun in a vehicle in Minnesota, within “arms reach?” How about within 1000′ of a school?
May 23rd, 2009 at 6:56 pm
The policy quote from Wal-mart included the “With the exception of law enforcement personnel” paragraph, the one that says no exposed weapons, either. At first glance, the policy may seem to make little sense, but perhaps they feel a bit more comfy with allowing concealed-carry perimt holders but not just anyone open-carrying.
May 23rd, 2009 at 7:51 pm
John, Wal Marts written policy is eminantly sensible. Here is why.
Wal Mart is concerned with it’s GUESTS and their feelings of safety and security while shopping at Wal Mart. Wal Mart is trying to ensure that their customers do not feel uncomfortable with guns while shopping. That is of course unless the person carrying is a licensed Law officer.
As for those who are CCP. Don’t ask don’t tell.
If no one is the wiser, the customers are not uncomfortable. It’s pretty simple.
May 23rd, 2009 at 8:45 pm
I have had to store my handgun maybe twice in 5 years. If I know I am going someplace where it isn’t allowed I don’t carry.
We can carry in our vehicles. We can carry on college campi as long as we are not students/staff subject to the whims of faculty.
In fact most every place allows it. Those that don’t only allow those willing to break the law carry.
I am certain you have been in the presence of someone carrying concealed. On the bus, in a convenience store, in school, at a bar or elsewhere. Just that if it was in WI, that person was breaking the carry law and who knows what else.
May 23rd, 2009 at 9:07 pm
https://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/laws/?id=83&year=2005&type=0
Here is the MPPA. Pretty standard stuff, Federal laws still apply and you can still be prosecuted for needless brandishing or shooting.
May 23rd, 2009 at 9:16 pm
Jay, I am a Conservative and I am logical and I do nut suffer fools gladly. Maybe you’ve heard of me?? *smile*
Here are my questions.
How many felonies have you been convicted of??
How many times have you been in a WILD WEST shoot-out at a LITTLE LEAGUE game?
My point? In all this discussion thus far, the onus and the assumed “policy” discussion….has been DICTATED by the LEFT.
Here in Wisconsin, it is clear, that we have a CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT….RIGHT, not legislated privelege to POSSESS a gun. We have the RIGHT!! To possess a gun, it must be CONCEALED or NON-CONCEALED. The LEFT, Doyle and Wis/Leg/Senate heretofore have blocked the CONCEALED OPTION, by State statute. You CANNOT POSSESS A CONCEALED WEAPON/GUN!! O.k!!
WHICH OPTION REMAINS???
If I can possess a widget by CONTITUTIONAL RIGHT.
But I cannot CONCEAL said..widget by STATUTE.
How is OPENLY carrying the widget a matter for the POLICE or LAW ENFORCEMENT????
I understand the CONSTITUTION completely.
I understand the STATE STATUATORY CODE completely.
Where the 2…DIVERGE….the CONSTITUTION is pre-eminant.
Possession of a gun by a someone who is not underage or who has not surrendered rights due to adjudication is A RIGHT.
The LEFT has been adamant that CONCEALED CARRY will not be permitted in Wisconsin.
THE LEFT MADE THAT DISTINCTION STATUTORIALLY.
THE ONLY OPTION LEFT (no pun) is OPEN CARRY.
Good work liberals.
May 24th, 2009 at 1:12 pm
gus, to answer your questions.
I and my fellow Permit to carry holders have not been convicted of any felonies.
We pass a background check administered by the county sheriff.
I have never even thought of drawing my gun from it’s holster let alone get into a “wild west” situation. A few times though I have been glad to have it along.
If I stay away from bad areas or situations and chances are I will never need my permit. Indeed I hope my decision to carry will always seem to be overly cautious, silly or even dumb to people who disagree that I should.
But as the “Armed Citizen” routinely reports people doing nothing more than minding their own business are sometimes forced to defend themselves.