by Dave Workman
Senior Editor
Pro-gun Wisconsin state Sen. Dave Zien (R), having seen his hard-fought concealed carry legislation vetoed by anti-gun Gov. Jim Doyle(D), took the political gloves off in early December, using an article published in The Toledo (OH) Blade that compared crime rates in Michigan to those in Ohio.
Michigan passed concealed carry reform in 2001 while Ohio lawmakers have been unable to reach consensus on a bill, due primarily to roadblocking by anti-gun Republican Gov. Bob Taft.
But the newspaper compared crime rates in the two states, and revealed that since Michigan’s law took effect, the crime rate dropped, while Ohio’s crime rate climbed above Michigan’s for the first time in 40 years.
In the newspaper article, it was noted that during the first year Michigan citizens enjoyed expanded CCW rights, the crime rate dropped 5.7%. During the same period, Ohio saw a 1.6% increase in crime.
“Is concealed carry responsible,” Zien asked. “Who knows? Maybe it’s just coincidence that Ohio has a higher crime rate than Michigan for the first time in 40 years. Maybe it has nothing to do with the first year of a law similar to Wisconsin’s Personal Protection Act.”
Zien, recalling the rhetoric that lowered the level of debate over the Wisconsin law, same as it had done in other states where concealed carry laws have been passed, tossed out some hard questions for anti-gunners:
“If it is a coincidence,” he queried, “where is the blood in the streets of Michigan? Where are the police officers being shot by licensed carriers? Where are the Wild West shootouts?
“How come 90,000 law-abiding citizens with guns on the streets of Michigan hasn’t increased crime,” he continued in his open letter, e-mailed to Gun Week and many others. “How come law enforcement in Michigan can’t find any of the problems they claimed would arise under this law?
“Is it possible,” the senator demanded, “that law-abiding citizens with concealed weapons remain law-abiding citizens? Is it possible that criminals are deterred by the thought that their next victim might be able to defend herself?
“Could 45 other states be right, and Jim Doyle be wrong,” Zien concluded.