Before elected officials take office, they are sworn in. That means that they take an oath to respect our state and national constitutions. Good idea. Operating under a constitution, which puts down some basic rules and limitations in writing, is supposed to prevent officials from just making up the laws they vote on.

That is the way it is supposed to work. I have to wonder if constitutions, elections, hearings, and other trappings of democracy are nothing more than illusions to give people the feeling that they have some control over the system to shut them up.

Our state constitution is difficult to change. However, voters agreed, twice, by large majorities, that “the people” should have the right to bear arms for any lawful purpose. The language is clear, with no confusion about a “well regulated militia.”

I attended and testified at my first legislative hearing at UW-MC a couple months ago. Again, large majorities favored “constitutional carry.” That means eliminating gun control laws which conflict with our constitution. Who would object to that?

Some well meaning critics at the hearings suggested it might be safer to require permits,  to give the state more control. “The people” would have to qualify for a permit by passing a safety course. However, our state constitution doesn’t require any tests for this or any other constitutional right. Furthermore, delegates to the GOP state convention approved a platform calling for voluntary training, not mandatory training. Besides, we have had the right to openly carry for over a century, without a permit or training. No problems.

With Republicans in the majority in both chambers and a Republican in the governor’s office, who had promised to sign any concealed carry bill which came to his desk. Seemed like a slam-dunk. Wisconsin would have a constitutional carry law, like four other states.

Then the author, my senator, Pam Galloway, took constitutional carry off the table. Supposedly her “friends” thought it would be more politically acceptable to add a few limitations. Republicans are already sending out direct mail appeals for campaign donations, bragging on their support for our gun rights. Hah!

The supposed “small government” people are adding a new bureaucracy to state government to deal with permits. Permits will cost $50, renewable every five years. Permits require passing a training course. I’ve seen one advertised for $150. So, instead of “the people” having the right to bear concealed arms, it will be deliberately narrowed down to a relative select few.

I’ve been assured that this is just the first step and they will eventually pass a bill which complies with the supreme law of the state. Don’t hold your breath. They have a bunch of new Republicans in the majorities in the statehouse and governor’s mansion. It is one thing to argue for incrementalism when you’re politically outgunned by the other guys; it’s another thing to preemptively concede the battle when you dominate the legislative process.

The politicians, especially Republicans, have shown their true colors. They ignored our state constitution, campaign promises, legislative hearing testimony, and even their own party members. They aren’t listening.

On the other hand, where is the outrage from Libertarians?

"The fact is that the average man's love of liberty is nine-tenths imaginary, exactly like his love of sense, justice and truth." ~ H.L. Mencken