From the Madison police department:

Some tailgating on the West Beltline Highway last Saturday evening ended with gun play that left two victims shaken and disturbed. A 26-year old Sauk City man says he was driving east toward Mineral Point Rd. with a woman friend when they witnessed the tailgating. It was followed by a poor lane change made by someone driving green Hyundai. The maneuver caused the driver of silver Mitsubishi Eclipse to swerve onto the road’s shoulder. The victims were not involved and continued driving past the scene. Moments later the Eclipse raced to catch up with them. It then slowed down dramatically and they looked over to see the car’s passenger rubbing his chin with a black handgun. He then pointed it at them, and smirked. They got off of the busy highway and called for police.

I ask because it seems like there have been a lot these incidents lately. I’m curious if conservatives believe enough in personal responsibility to support stricter penalties for people who are irresponsible with firearms. I think of some of my friends/families who are gun owners (and typically conservative), and they are responsible gun owners who realize that guns are powerful tools and should be treated carefully and with respect. It doesn’t bother me that they own guns, but then I read reports like the one above, and I think that there needs to be some stricter punishments for people who use firearms recklessly. It would help separate the responsible firearms owners from the people who are irresponsible.

People seem to be extremely misguided as to what a concealed carry permit entitles them to do…I mean, look at this incident report (emphasis mine):

On 6/22/2012, at approximately 11:26am, Madison Police responded to a weapons offense that occurred in the 1100 block of E. Wilson Street. Officers were told that a male subject had produced a gun in a conflict, and was still inside the residence when they arrived. The suspect, later identified as Farhan Parekh, owned a silver Crossfire and while officers were talking to the complainant (Brandon Gabrielse), the vehicle started to leave the residential complex.

Officer pursued the vehicle, and made a high risk felony stop near the 10 block of N. Ingersoll Street. Farhan was ordered from the vehicle at gun point, and after a search of the car, a FNH 9mm handgun was located inside of a bag. Farhan immediately pointed out that he did hold a concealed carry permit issued by the State of Wisconsin, and suggested that his detention by police constituted an illegal arrest!

A concealed carry permit doesn’t not entitle you to threaten people. You’d think an organization like the National Rifle Association (NRA) would be on the front-line to promote laws that encourage responsible gun ownership, but they are not: 5 Issues That Divide Gun Owners and NRA Leadership
The NRA’s membership agrees with most Americans that our gun laws should protect our families, not the financial interests of a clique of elites.

Other notable quotes from the police incident reports:

People should be reminded that The Wisconsin Department of Justice does periodically update informational bulletins, as to when it is appropriate for an individual to produce a firearm in instances of imminent threat of death or great bodily harm. Absent specific criteria set forth by The Department of Justice and/or Wisconsin State Statute(s), actions involving firearms are subject to be scrutinized based on other legal determinations.

If you’re interested in the suspect’s description from the first incident:

Male, white, 35 years old, 250 lbs., very heavy, dark hair, goatee, wearing a black shirt. He was a passenger in a silver Mitsubishi Eclipse with loud exhaust, dark tinted windows, and a sunroof, driven by a white female with curly blonde hair.