Open carry rights displayed at picnic

GREEN BAY - With holstered pistols at their sides, about 50 gun owners gathered at Ted Fritsch Park in Green Bay Saturday for an open carry picnic. Organizers said they were celebrating their right to openly carry a firearm in public.

"There's nothing to be afraid of," said Henry Rahr, of Green Bay.

"We're all law abiding citizens and this is for self protection. Most people don't realize it but the public is much safer with us with open carry," said Rahr.

Openly carrying a holstered firearm is legal in Wisconsin. Organizers of the picnic said it's a right citizens need to know they have.

"I don't believe everyone should be issued a permit or should be carrying because there are people who are not trained and do not have the ability," said Harold Grimes, of Little Suamico. "But I believe everyone has the right to defend themselves," Grimes added.

The group of gun owners had to get a $50 special events permit from the city to hold the picnic, something they did not agree with. Green Bay police officers also stopped by to make sure the event was running safely.

Even though there were no problems on Saturday, not everyone thinks open carry picnics are a good idea.

"There are increased risks to individuals and society therefore we can't possibly support that kind of action," said Jeri Bonavia, the director of Wisconsin Anti-Violence Effort or WAVE.

Bonavia said more guns do not lead to less violence.

"Those people being armed are not going to provide a higher degree of safety for themselves or us," said Bonavia.

"I believe everybody has the right to choose to carry a weapon.
Perhaps not everybody should," said Rahr, pointing out that it takes training to be able to properly handle a gun.

Organizers said they plan to host more open carry picnics in the future, but said they would like to see people take it upon themselves to exercise their right to openly carry in public.

In April, Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen sent a memo to prosecutors in the state reminding them that they can not charge someone with disorderly conduct just for carrying a holstered handgun in public.

Wisconsin and Illinois are the only two states in the country that do not allow concealed carry of a firearm.