The easiest way to mock or demonize the cause of those who lobby for the liberty to obtain, carry, conceal and use firearms of all sorts is to describe their most vocal and insistent members. Perhaps it’s fairer to mention first the more reasonable people in this movement. Tom Zachary spoke to the House Judiciary Committee with humor and reason, joking that people who feel a need to take a firearm to church have probably attended a few Southern Baptist business meetings, noting that violent events like the shootings at Fort Hood are unavoidable “with somebody who’s nuts”, but still asserting broad 2nd amendment rights. And it should be recognized too that law enforcement officials see some value in a rancher with a gun in his pickup when a solo sheriff dealing with trouble in a remote, rural area needs some backup.

But for every reasonable advocate, there’s the heavyset, perspiring young man telling a legislative committee he has been carrying concealed unregistered weapons into church and movie theaters for years. How about state capitols? You have to mention such folks, because these are the guys who want these unfettered gun rights most passionately. They’re well-versed in their arguments, unyielding, and…creepy.

Behind this motley crew is a nationwide battalion of gun advocates who think it’s effective to deluge a Wyoming legislator with hundreds of duplicated emails. Rep. Rodney “Pete” Anderson (R-Pine Bluffs) told the Wyoming House that he was positively disposed toward a bill to allow individuals to carry concealed firearms without a permit (House Bill 113) until his mailbox overflowed with messages from just about everywhere in the country but his home district.

But don’t think legislators aren’t intimidated by the onslaught. Guns are a political litmus test issue like abortion – every comment, pro or con, begins with, “I’m a hunter and a gun-owner and I believe in the 2nd amendment…” (Jeez, even a journalist better give his bona fides – yeah, I’ve got guns at home, and I hunt…)

Legislators who are more than a little uncomfortable in a cramped hearing room with a guy they’ve never met before telling them his right to carry concealed overrides any state permit law, will turn around and vote for the bill that would make permits unnecessary – despite the public safety concerns of law enforcement and their own better sense. It’s apparent they’re more scared of the political ramifications than the guy standing in front of them. I doubt that many of them believe the right to carry concealed without a permit is one of those essential “freedoms” stolen by that evil federal government.

Rep. John Patton (R-Sheridan) was bold enough to question whether eliminating conceal-carry permits in Wyoming was a benefit to the general public, which he said should also enjoy “freedom from fear.” But only Rep. Joe Barbuto (D-Rock Springs) joined him in voting against the bill in committee.
Nor is it likely that the full House will shoot down the bill. Last year’s controversial “castle” gun bill, protecting those who did some shooting in defense of their homes, made it through the House and died when it came over to the Senate. Get ready, senators: Your email mail box is about to get shot up.