At least two police departments that "get it"

Via the Forum, we found out that a number of people living in or near Jackson, Michigan spent last weekend openly carrying handguns on their hips while going about their business, a practice that is completely legal in that state with a permit.

Contrary to the bleatings of the Brady Campaign whiners who continually decry such actions, no one died, there were no shootouts in the streets and none of the law-abiding citizens exercising their Second Amendment rights caused any problems whatsoever at the establishments they patronized. In fact, they ended up spending quite a bit of money at one restaurant, pleasing the staff there, as one commenter to the story notes:

"I was at the Bob Evans luncheon from 11am till about 3:30pm (open carrying)and no cops showed up. The manager was more than welcomed to have us. He also asked when we could be back again." (Emphasis mine)

We imagine that was the safest restaurant in the state right about then.

We are pleased and heartened that both the Blackman Township Police Department as well as the Jackson County Sheriff's Department seem to be competent, service-oriented organizations that responded to a few panicked calls from residents unaware of the law quickly and professionally. The officers established that no laws were being broken, wished the firearm carriers a good day and let them go about enjoying their weekend.

"'Sometimes it is a matter of educating the public that this is a constitutional right,' [Blackman Township Public Safety Director Jon] Johnston said. 'We do not take enforcement action against those who obey the law.'"

Just as it should be.

Are you paying attention, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Police Chief Ed Flynn?

"Milwaukee's police chief said he'll go on telling his officers to take down anyone with a firearm despite [Wisconsin Attorney General J. B.] Van Hollen's finding that people can carry guns openly if they do it peacefully.

Chief Ed Flynn said officers can't assume people are carrying guns legally in a city that has seen nearly 200 homicides in the past two years.

He said that means officers seeing anybody carrying a gun will put them on the ground, take the gun away and then decide if the person has a right to carry it."

In case you hadn't noticed, Chief Flynn, felons, drug dealers and murderers don't walk around with a handgun in open view. Law-abiding citizens exercising their natural-born, Constitutionally-protected rights do.

Go ahead and keep up that thuggish and unlawful behavior, Chief. Your own Attorney General has specifically informed you that open carry is perfectly legal in Wisconsin. Ignore that advisement at your professional and personal financial peril.