At least one Wisconsin police group is promising to push for changes in proposed concealed carry legislation, which was introduced last week by lawmakers. Wisconsin Professional Police Association executive director Jim Palmer says his group has been neutral on past versions of the bill, largely because of differing opinions on the issue between rural and urban law enforcement.
However, Palmer says a version of the bill that allows anyone to carry a concealed firearm without a permit, background check, or training could force them to revaluate their stance on the issue. Palmer says the state requires hunters to attend training, so he questions the logic in allowing someone to carry a firearm for protection without learning how to use that weapon properly.
Republican lawmakers have two versions of the concealed carry proposal up for debate. One version is similar to past legislation, in that it creates a permitting process. The other allows for what supporters call a “constitutional right to carry” and would create few restrictions on who can have a concealed weapon. Neither version requires training.
Palmer says it’s pretty clear the authors did not consult law enforcement groups about the bills because many of the provisions go against what police have asked for in past versions. He says the Wisconsin Professional Police Association will push for changes in both measures.
Both concealed carry bills will receive public hearings later this week at the state Capitol and in Wausau.