With open carry advocates getting headlines of late, a statewide organization which opposes the carrying of guns in public settings has set up a Facebook page. Jeri Bonavia with Wisconsin Anti-Violence Effort says they hope people who are concerned about open carry in Wisconsin will post comments. Bonavia said many people remain uneasy at the thought of guns being carried openly in public places such as restaurants and churches.
The state’s prohibition on concealed carry has become an issue in the race for governor, and a judge in Clark County last week called the ban unconstitutional. But Bonavia thinks allowing that is a bad idea, citing crimes committed by concealed carry permit holders in other states. “There have been over 200 people murdered just in the last couple of years by concealed carry permit holders,” she said. Bonavia said the Facebook effort will provide a forum for people adamantly opposed to public gun carrying have a forum to express their opinions, although they welcome comments from both sides of the issue.