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Feel safer?

No, I'm not happy to see you and yes, that is a gun in my pocket.

I could tweet a pic, but that's old news and off subject. By the end of the week it will be legal to carry a concealed weapon in Wisconsin, be it a gun or knife -- as long as the knife is not a switchblade. Why, I don't know.

What difference does it make if I cut your throat with a Buck knife or a switchblade? A switchblade is even easier to conceal. So that will leave Illinois as the only State without similar legislation. How embarrassing that must be.

Personally, I don't plan on carrying a gun. I hope that doesn't make me a target. Advocates of the law say it will make things more difficult for the bad guys since they won't know if a potential victim is carrying or not, so it may just deter them. I suppose.

I have a feeling however, that it will make my step-son's job a bit more dicey. He's a Kenosha County police officer and runs into enough belligerent anti-socials as it is. Now he too must assume everyone is armed when he approaches them.

I've never been opposed to the right to own guns. After all we are a State of hunters and most hunters I know are good conservationists and as serious about safety as they are respectful of their sport and prey. I'm a little more skeptical of the need to own assault rifles especially since so many of them end up in criminal hands.

I understand that handguns can provide protection, not only from criminals but, according to some of our citizens in the north, against bears and wolves as well. I get more nervous when I read the commentaries following on-line articles regarding the subject.

While there are intelligent, knowledgeable and rational posts, there are also many passionate and angry people out there who collect guns because they are preparing for that inevitable day when they will have to confront and overthrow an oppressive government which is what the constitution encourages them to do.

Some oppose even a permit as it allows the government the ability to deny your application and as others point out, owning a weapon is a “God given right.” Oookaay....

There are lots of crazy rants and to single them out would be like broadcasting the early auditions of American Idol. It is unlikely that the vast majority of gun toters will ever use their weapon against attackers -- be they human or animal. The bottom line is that being able to carry a concealed weapon makes people feel safer and if that's what it takes, so be it.

Now, if we could only find something to make people feel safer about spending their money.

Jim Black is a community blogger and is not a part of the Walworth County Gazette staff. His opinion is not necessarily that of Walworth County Today staff or management.