First of all let me state this is not a MN/WI rivery post nor is it a blame MN post as this could be the scene between any two states, probably has happened in the past with Concealed Carry laws in other states though rare and this state did not have to be MN just happened to be so.
As most that follow this knows or may read the NRA or GOA articles on the web or you may live near WI, WI is still trying to get its Concealed Carry Law passed last year 2004/2005 it passed in both the Senate and Legislature only to be vetoed by the Anti Gun Democrat Gov Doyle a past state AG and then put pressure on a few key legislature's he knew who he could turn and the override failed by one vote. This year 2005/2006 same thing Passed in both the Senate and the House and Doyle Vetoed it and now it looks like it will pass in the Senate and in the House again it will be tight. Ok thats the background.
The media plays big into these kind of stories so it should be blame the media if any blame is to be put on to this.
Last session the media jumped on the story of a MN guy who was a permit holder, shot the crap out of a car I do remember that I think it was his brothers car if I am not mistaken anyway the story came out big time by the media while WI was doing the CC thing and I do not know if that could have turned some heads or not. This year the same story only worse. A Twin Cities guy with a CC permit shot and killed a Bouncer and the guy is charged with murder. This of course gets the local media all reved up and they interview the local MN sherrif from Duluth (ST LOUIS CO. ) Who was dead set against the CC law in MN and goes on a tirade of how the permits cost the tax payers more money as he only gets a 100 dollars per permit while it cost the ST LOUIS CO. Taxpayers 140 bucks, so there is a 40 dollar difference. Who knows maybe if he was more efficient he could get the cost down or maybe he is manipulating the numbers because he is against the law. I do not know. The Twin Cities media may have had more on this story the Duluth News just stated what happened then went on to the anti CC/gun interview with the Sheriff. He made comments that said "I had to issue permits to folks I know should not be carrying a gun" Now how does he know this? As long as they can pass the checks in place who is he to make such a judgement?
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Now while I say this is unfortunate, it is for both states MN will get the anti CC folks in a uproar again I would imagine which is not good for the permit holders in that state and in WI well considering this story is now and goes right in to the face of the politicians that will be voteing to over ride the Governors Veto or not to over ride it this story out of MN comes at a very bad time. Yea it could have been any other state with maybe the same consequences if there are any. But WI and MN seem to be tied fairly close together expecially in the NW areas of WI and the NE part of MN and all along their respective borders. Too bad and I hope it does not have a effect on this veto over ride, But I fear it may. It only took one vote last time to keep the veto in place so this is a fragile situation. I truely hope it does not affect the WI vote nor does it get the anti CC folks in MN in a uproar again. Jim
