NEWS
Concealed weapons proposal carries on
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by Carolyn Smith
Friday, September 30, 2005
Two Wisconsin state legislators announced Thursday they are making a second attempt to create a law to legalize the concealed carry of weapons.
The bill, known as the Personal Protection Act, would allow citizens over the age of 21 who obtain a license, undergo a criminal background check and participate in safety training, to carry concealed weapons in public.
State Rep. Scott Gunderson, R-Waterford, and State Sen. Dave Zien, R-Wheaton, wrote the bill.
"We spent hours scouring over testimony, listening to constituents and meeting with representatives from various interest groups to craft the best proposal possible," Zien said in a release. "Bottom line is that people will have the fundamental right to protect themselves and their loved ones."
The State Senate and Assembly approved similar legislation last year; however, Gov. Jim Doyle vetoed the bill. The Senate was successful in voting to override the veto, but an attempt to override it in the Assembly failed by one vote.
The main difference between the previous legislation and the current Personal Protection Act is that the Wisconsin Department of Justice would be in charge of issuing the licenses for concealed carry, rather than individual sheriffs' departments.
"Current law only protects criminals from citizens," Zien said. "The Personal Protection Act will level the playing field for the most common prey of criminals: women, elderly and disabled individuals."
Under the provisions of the bill, in order to obtain a license, a qualified citizen must pay $75 in issuing fees, which will cover DOJ costs, Michael Bruhn, a spokesman for Gunderson, said.
The bill has caught the attention of several anti-gun groups, like the Wisconsin Anti-Violence Effort, which said the act would add unnecessary dangers to the state.
"To say we need to combat crime by putting more hidden, loaded guns on the street just isn't a good idea," WAVE spokesman Ryan Kulik said. "Plus, with everything else that is happening in the state, the Legislature should really be focusing on other things right now."
Though the concealed-carry law will not cause an increase in violent crime, Kulik said, there are still risks associated with the legislation.
"I think for the most part, we're just going to see a larger group of people out there that have these lethal weapons on them, loaded, and they are going to be untrained," Kulik said. "To be honest, I'd rather not see what's going to happen."
Bruhn said in the 46 states that allow concealed carry, there has been no increase in crime.
"Crime rates have been going down all across the nation," Bruhn said. "But in states that have right-to-carry laws, those crime rates have been dropping faster than states that do not have the right to carry."
However, State Rep. Spencer Black, D-Madison, said the bill would allow people to bring concealed guns into banks, churches, dormitories and college classrooms.
"It's a gun lobbyist's dream, but it would be a nightmare for law enforcement and people who care about their own safety," Black said.
