Guns: The Debate in Wisconsin Part 2
By: Jenn Sullivan
Updated: February 14, 2013
(WFRV)--In 2011, 68% of murders in the United States were committed using a gun.
From movie theatres--to places of worship, to schools--2012 ended with several mass shootings on record.
For the first time in our nation's history, lawmakers are pushing to curb gun violence in our nation. But where do you draw the line between keeping citizens safe and infringing on our second amendment rights?
Talking guns, the executive director of Harbor House, said "It's a symbol of power--control."
33 Americans die every day from gun related violence.
In 2012, there were more than a dozen public shootings that left 80 people dead.
9 of the deaths happened in Wisconsin, where 6 people were killed in the Sikh Temple shooting and 3 at a Brookfield salon.
During Tuesday's State of the Union Address, President Obama discussed the importance of curbing gun violence in our nation.
"In the two months since Newtown, more than a thousand birthdays, graduations, and anniversaries have been stolen from our lives by a bullet from a gun," said the President.
In response to these mass shootings, President Obama is determined to curb gun violence--making it mandatory for anyone buying a gun to undergo a background check and banning assault weapons.
"The gun is the most common weapon used to kill a partner due to domestic violence and we know talking to women over the years many of them are threatened with guns," said Schnor.
Last year nearly 600 women and children sought help at Harbor House in Appleton.
Half of them were threatened with a gun.
Schnor said, "When there is a gun in the home the risk that of that woman as domestic violence is 7 times higher."
In Wisconsin, 800,000 households have a rifle.
Joe Devaney, a political science professor at UW-GB said, "Either the 2nd Amendment protects an individual's right to bear arms as a matter of text in history or it doesn't, regardless of our own public policy."
Joe Devaney explains over time the courts have interpreted the Bill of Rights as a "living constitution"--meaning the laws are subject to interpretation.
The 2nd amendment says "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed." No longer needing a Militia, lawmakers interpreted the second amendment as all citizens have the right to own a gun.
Ron Farkas, a Conceal Carry Instructor said, "There are a lot of people out here who believe in their constitutional right and no one has the right to challenge that or take their guns away from them."
Farkas has been teaching conceal carry classes since the 90's.
Since President Obama proposed to ban assault weapons, Farkas says his classes have doubled in size--expanding to at least 40 people.
"Recently there's been an upsurge because this concern just like there's an ammo surge, there's been gun purchasing, people are concerned and they have a right to be concerned," Farkas said.
Talking to students who signed up for Farkas' class--they say protecting themselves is the number one reason for getting a conceal carry permit.
But because of recent controversy regarding gun control--they say now is the best time to apply.
Sandy Schober, who attended Conceal Carry Classsaid "Possibly down the line they may have stricter laws on it that you may not have to be able to get certified and have a gun."
Kim Barrett, who also attended Conceal Carry Class said "I'd like the permit in case I have to protect my family and myself as well as my business."
And Joshua Taylor attended the course because: "Honestly, you never know how things are going to go these days. It's kind of making sure your bases are covered."
