Under current law anyone can get a gun in Wisconsin with NO background check or even showing identification. That's because nearly half of all guns purchased in the state are sold at gun shows, on the street, in homes, through classified ads or over the Internet by unlicensed, private sellers who are not required to conduct background checks. Why are gun owners afraid...or are they still convinced the guys with the guns (with their completely false sense of security or protection) make all the rules? That's simply foolish and callously demonstrating complete disregard and disrespect for fellow citizens.

In some areas you can only hunt deer with shotguns and pistols, and there are people who are better shots with pistols than shotguns given the weight of a shotgun combined with the kick that one gets when it is fired. So your rant about hunting with pistols is a little uneducated. Who gave you the right to determine to tell other people that they can’t protect themselves if they are acting perfectly lawfully, yes you can see it as excessive, but it is their right to decide what level of protection they want for themselves plain and simple.

PanamaRed - Let's see, yes, obviously, one would use a shotgun to hunt certain birds. Some use a bow on turkey. With regards to deer, coyotes, bears, etc...yes, there are thousands of people that use handguns to hunt those. New handgun specific models are extremely accurate and the higher powered models have just as much power as a rifle. Anything else you need me to help you with? It's obvious you think I'm making this up, which proves your lack of education on the matter once again.

Gee, my bad spark. So thousands of hunters use pistols to hunt birds, deer, turkeys, bear, coyote, (did I leave something out?) hmmmm. And I always thought the majority of individuals hunted with rifles and shotguns since they are more accurate and pistols were only used as a means of putting down animals that were badly wounded while hunting. Thanks for setting me straight. I would think it's much easier to hit a duck or goose with #4 shot than a single bullet but hey, you're the expert.

And FYI to all. That is the whole point. One carries a gun to hunt or protect themselves. The only ones questioning it, are those of you against it. These guys openly stated that the reason they were carrying them was to get noticed and to let people know its perfectly legal to do so. So what is the problem? What is the issue? If it wasn't for those of you bashing them, they wouldn't have to get noticed now would they? What they're doing is perfectly legal. It's not Charles Manson and Jeffery Dahmer standing there. They didn't just pick a gun up off the street. As a matter of fact, in 48 other states, with a permit, they could be standing on the side of the road with it concealed and you'd never know it. In the near future, you will probably see that law passed in WI also.

PanamaRed - You just proved how uneducated you seriously are on this subject, on the subject of hunting and on guns in general. You said they aren't bright individuals. Why, because they had a gun in a holster on their sides? You know nothing about them! You asked who hunts with handguns? Are you serious? Thousands of people do and it's perfectly legal. You see, the only people that aren't bright, are the people commenting on this topic that lack the information to do so.

What is there to assume, mespl and spark? Why would anyone carry a gun if they are not hunting game or need it for protection, either for themselves or others? Were they hunting? No. So either they strapped on guns because they felt the need to protect others or thought it was "cool". I was actually giving them the benefit of doubt because in my view it what they did was only for show. Our 2nd amendment rights are not in jeopardy. Ok so those guys are not a joke, they're just not very bright individuals seeking attention. Spark, you can spin it any way you want but the facts don't change, besides who hunts with a pistol? I did not question the legality of their actions but simply their reasoning (or lack thereof) and intent. If they somehow reasoned it would be a good idea to carry guns while collecting trash along a busy highway then I question both their intelligence and judgment. There is an appropriate time and place to carry guns and picking up trash along Highway 67 is not one of them by anyone's standard. Any way you look at it their actions were foolish and fools carrying guns is never good.

By the way MrScott, does your name imply are really into using large quantities of toilet paper? Judging by your comment it appears you're simply afraid of engaging in a respectful form of civil discourse.

proartist - One other thing. You said "True courage enables someone to face danger or difficult situations without retreating behind the false sense of security of a gun." - I'm sure all the military and people fighting for your sorry a#* really appreciate your support and that comment.
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FYI, deadly force can be achieved by just using your hands which also proves your theory false.

proartist - Go spew your analogies somewhere else. Talk about reading into something. Jesus. I'll remember that when you show up at a gun battle with a knife. Good luck with that and nice knowing you.
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I will say this to you just like I said to many others. Find proof for me that these people are dangerous and that the crime rate has increased because of this. I won't wait for your response, because there's no proof.
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Oh and please make sure you spew that crap about anxiety and insecurity to the families of people that died who never had a chance to defend themselves from the real cowards. The criminals who used the gun for what it wasn't intended for. A coward isn't someone that defends himself you dope.

Mind-blowing, Thank you.

mespl: "Also the sole purpose of a firearm is to fire a projectile."...says it all. Projectiles that are meant to hit a target are destructive whether the target is an inanimate object or a living being. Guns are inherently dangerous to everyone and everything. To deny this intrinsic purpose or cloud the issue with "self protection" again, reveals only the fear. Fear of others, fear of government, fear of circumstances beyond control, fear of the inability to defend without deadly force. True courage enables someone to face danger or difficult situations without retreating behind the false sense of security of a gun.

proartist: How exactly will your intellect and creativity stop a mugger? Also the sole purpose of a firearm is to fire a projectile. Not destruction. What exactly is your term “technological weapon of destruction” referring to? A car destroys the roadway it drives on, and the tires and the brakes. A lawn mower destroys grass just as much as a firearm dose to a paper target. Are you anti lawnmower also?

Those who feel they have to have a technological weapon of destruction - and need to brazenly highlight that fact - demonstrate nothing but their utter contempt and fear of their fellow human beings. How incredibly sad they have such distrust and anxiety issues instead of having the true courage to use their intellect and creativity IF put in a dangerous situation. Yes, having a gun is legal...often until it's used in an illegal manner. The sole purpose of a gun is destruction no matter how it's used.

SPARK....you are right! I do tend to be on the high end of fearful. LOL. But this is in my opinion, a bit extreme. And mostly because as you said, most people are not aware that this is a right, because people don't normally walk around with their guns in plain sight along the highway without hunting gear. **peace** :)

RummageSalesRock - You really should stop being so scared over something so harmless. And no, there is no difference in seeing a hunter or one of these guys carrying a gun. Why? Because both are harmless to you and are good, responsible citizens that have no intentions of killing you. Seriously, come on. This has been around forever throughout the Country. I can't believe so many people are out of touch with the laws.

I am curious why so many of you claim that the reason why the firearms are there is some sort of secret or not apparent. They are there for self protection if they were to ever be needed. Same reason why a police officer wears a firearm, no one questions why they wear one because their danger level is higher than that of an average citizen. However an average citizen has the right to protect themselves just the same, given there are more restrictions on where an average citizen can carry it however the purpose is the same. Who gave you the right to determine to tell other people that they can’t protect themselves if they are acting perfectly lawfully, yes you can see it as excessive, but it is their right to decide what level of protection they want for themselves plain and simple.

SHOPIEREHUH ~ Oh come on! In this particular instance, NO! it isn't a matter of fear of "guns", it is a fear of NOT KNOWING why these people are bearing arms for no apparent reason. Seriously, get a clue. I have no fear of weapons of any sorts when the reason for their presence is apparent!

SPARK...NO! I wouldn't freak out if I were to see a hunter walking into the woods. And YES there is a difference. Absolutely a difference. The hunter has an identifiable purpose, where as a road crews' purpose isn't readily available until you read about it in the news. Silly you!

I guarantee half of Janesville would call the police, FBI, attorney general, Jesus.....whoever.....if they saw individuals who were dressed in Muslim garb doing the same thing.

I think everybody has the right to bear arms - everybody should be able to hang a pair of bear arms on their wall......(sorry, I had a small dosage of Family Guy, hehe)

Hoplophobia (pronounced /ˌhɒplɵˈfoʊbiə/), from the Greek hoplon, or weapon, is defined as the "fear of firearms" or alternatively, an irrational fear of weapons in general, and describes a specific phobia.

There is help available for those of you who are so disturbed by this. Therapy, medications, all sorts of help is available.

Question....why don't all the sword collectors parade down the highway with their swords? I am thinking that would be just as un-nerving....

MRLIPPY...RIGHT??? Very good point. But, I myself, would react to all people with open arms in the same manner....I would be very curious as to WHY??? And most likely not stick around to ask why....hehe.

TRUTH....I would freak out because it isn't something people do without a "reason" such as hunting.....and to see people just parading with open arms would make me wonder why. Our society is full of just on the edge individuals, and it is necessary for us to be on alert.... And actually, to freak out would be just natural for me... lol.

I would love to see NRA nuts reaction to a group of Muslim individuals dressed in middle eastern clothing with unconcealed guns doing the same thing.

"Damn those terrorists!!"......****sigh****

It's perfectly legal. Period. People are just shocked because they didn't realize it was. It's harmless.

Don't try and reason with PanamaRed, he's in his own little world. Definition of Panama Red: "a cultivar of cannabis, popular among cannabis aficionados of the 1960s and 1970s, and renowned for its potency." 'nuff said.

Panama - Do you think the police are intending on using their weapons every time they carry them? No. That's the last thing they want to have to do. Your Rule #1 is completely false.
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Why do you need a way to be protected from these people? Who have they harmed? They aren't criminals. Find me where the crime rate has increased because of this.
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You act like they're the criminals. Like they are standing on the side of the road waiting to kill people. Their logic behind their rights says a lot. Look at the past history of the Government when it comes to any type of gun control. Give an inch, they take a mile. They try and penalize the hunters and the ones that aren't the criminals.

PanamaRed: I didn’t realize that any of them were claiming to provide a service to society, that is an impressive assumption. Your whole post is full of impressive assumptions. Also your comment of “Never carry a weapon you don't intend to use.” is incorrect and invalid, police carry weapons every day and every cop that I know hopes and prays that he or she never has to discharge their weapon on duty. So sorry I am not buying that line.

Rule #1) Never carry a weapon you don't intend to use.
Those "gun-toting" guys are a joke. They claim to be exercising their 2nd amendment right to make sure it "won't be going away". Which of those Einsteins thought up that excuse? That's like standing on a street corner yelling out mindless drivel as a way to protect our 1st amendment rights.
We need a way to protect ourselves from these wannabes who think they are actually providing a service to society by strapping on a firearm. My guess is none of these guys have the slightest idea of the intense pressure felt if they were to view another human being in the sights of their firearm or what it would take to actually pull the trigger. You think shooting at a target at a firing range is the same a taking aim at another human? I hope they all wear Depends when packing heat because I guarantee you it will save them from cleaning up their mess if they were actually called upon to use their weapon. Allow trained law enforcement to do what they are paid and trained to do. We don't need fools trying to prove a point by strapping on a firearm to pick up trash from the roadside.

so the only thing that a person on those roads have think about is not doing any evil cause if they did the good guys now have the firepower

glad to see our society is moving back to the wild west... or towards Afghanistan.

I enjoy owning guns, I have some that with be 5th generation when my children own them!

but this embarrass me AND it should embarrass all other owners.

read at gander mountain where a group is going around to state retailers to judge their reaction to guns, STIRRING up trouble is the real reason

read at gander mountain where a group is going around to state reatailers to judge thier reaction, STUR up trouble is the real reason

janesvillean: They are exercising their rights kind of like you are right now with freedom of speech. It is the same thing, they actually courteous and discussed with local law enforcement and found a location to exercise their rights that law enforcement was the most comfortable with, they are trying to respect other people while exercising their rights. Where as you are verbally bashing them and slinging insults and that is your right, I am not trying to stop you, and please don’t try to stop other people from exercising their rights. Plus they are being good citizens and cleaning up the roadsides.

So, what are they afraid of, exactly? A beer can with a deadly pop-top? Do they realize how ridiculous they look? Or do they all really imagine that no matter how bald and pudgy, they transform into Dirty Harry when they strap on?

I agree with people who ask "why" when it comes to the gun-toting issue....except....until the openly soft on crime, accepting of bad behavior, and a society unable or unwilling to do anything about the mass of criminals etc etc etc...I enjoy that we have the right to own guns. Well done to those who excercised this belief!
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And don't forget it, because it's true..."If you outlaw guns or restrict them, the only people who will own them or carry them are the outlaws themselves"--these antigun people will not stop the gun crime, if their lemming views were the rule. Only innocent people would suffer. Likewise, use of such weapons needs to be justified, or it is a crime.

kawisixer01, Well said and worth re reading. Rock County, lets get rid of Judy Robson who will entertain NO sensible debate over 2nd amendment issues.
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Its high time for the peace loving and willing to protect ourselves demographic to form our own powerful voice.

Wolves

Would you freak out if you were driving on a road and saw a hunter walking into the woods with a gun? What is the difference? The gun isn't going to jump out of the holster and shoot you by itself. Quit worrying about the gun and worry about who's carrying it.

Way to go litter pick up crew ! A right not exercised is a right lost !

rummage- Thats a pretty good post, but why would you "freak out", as you put it, about someone in a car with a gun as long as they weren't acting stupid or theatening?
Things to "freak out" about are excessive speeding, drunk/reckless driving, red light running, etc......

This is exactly how activists make their cause a thorn in the side. Why do you have to do this? Just like why do the blacks have to yell Black Pride, the Lesbians and Gays have to make their sexual orientation know to all, or the white supremacists have to be all natzied out? We all have a right to do all of these things, and have pride in our beliefs, rights or ways, it is when it is always in the forefront to make it KNOWN to others that this is our right....that is when the ones trying to be excepted continue to make themselves victims. If I were driving on a road and people were "packing heat" openly, I would FREAK out....lol. It is a right, but, really, is it necessary?