Wisconsin News and Sports
A law allowing people to carry concealed weapons in Wisconsin takes effect in less than two months. However, the training requirements needed to qualify for a permit are still largely unknown.
David Zibolski with the Wisconsin Department of Justice says they are still waiting for the governor’s office to weigh in before writing the administrative rules. [Read more…]
The law that legalizes carrying a concealed weapon in Wisconsin is set to take effect later this year, but Jeri Bonavia of the Wisconsin Anti-Violence Effort says her groups is not backing off on its opposition to the measure.
The group is encouraging businesses to take a stand. Bonavia says they are calling on businesses to ban guns from being carried inside. She says similar steps have been taken by about 80-percent of the businesses in other states that allow concealed carry.
The law allows permit holders to carry hidden weapons inside a business, unless signs are posted saying they are banned. Bonavia says WAVE plans to run a statewide campaign urging businesses to put those signs up.
The law takes effect on November 1st.
AUDIO: Andrew Beckett reports (1:10)
John Colbert, WIBA contributed to this report.
Surrounded by leaders from the National Rifle Association and other supporters, Governor Scott Walker on Friday signed legislation that makes Wisconsin the 49th state in the nation to legalize the concealed carry of weapons. The Personal Protection Act allows Wisconsinites over 21, who pass a background check and undergo training, to apply for a permit to carry concealed. [Read more…]
Local law enforcement agencies around Wisconsin have a lot of unanswered questions about a bill legalizing concealed carry. However, at least one sheriff does not expect much risk to public safety once it’s signed into law by the governor.
Racine County Sheriff Christopher Schmaling says he has nothing to fear about law abiding citizens carrying a concealed gun, since the bill does require a permit, background check, and training. Schmaling says that will prevent the average citizen from just “strapping a weapon on their hip” without really knowing what kind of gun they have. [Read more…]
Now that the Legislature has approved a bill legalizing concealed carry in Wisconsin, a state lawmaker is looking to increase penalties for those who do it illegally.
During the debate over the bill, a central argument of supporters was that criminals don’t care if it’s legal, they’ll carry a hidden weapon anyway. However, State Senator Alberta Darling (R-River Hills) says there are concerns that the current penalties for doing so are not enough. [Read more…]
Legislation legalizing concealed carry in Wisconsin is on its way to the Governor’s desk, following a bi-partisan vote in the Assembly Tuesday night. The legislation includes permit and training requirements, which supporters say will help to ensure the public is protected.
Assembly Majority Leader Scott Suder (R-Abbotsford) says the bill is an effort 16-years in the making, following repeated attempts by lawmakers to make Wisconsin the 49th state to legalize concealed carry. Similar legislation was twice approved by lawmakers in previous sessions, only to be vetoed by then-Governor Jim Doyle. [Read more…]
The state Assembly is expected to vote today on legislation legalizing the concealed carry of weapons in Wisconsin. The bill passed in the state Senate earlier this month creates a permit system and requires training to carry concealed guns and other weapons.
Jeri Bonavia with the Wisconsin Anti-Violence Effort (WAVE) says there are still concerns though about how safe the public will be under the system set up by the bill. Bonavia says the legislation is full of loopholes and Republicans have failed to set up proper safeguards to protect people. [Read more…]
Those wishing to carry a concealed weapon in Wisconsin would have to obtain a permit and meet training requirements, under a compromise bill advanced Thursday by the Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee.
The measure directs the Department of Justice to establish a licensing system for concealed carry. The five year permits would require a fee for background checks, with the total cost being around $50 for both. [Read more…]
Legislation that would allow anyone who can legally own a firearm to carry it concealed is headed to the Senate floor, after a committee approved the bill Wednesday on a party line vote. Democrats raised numerous concerns about the lack of training requirements or permits in the bill legalizing what’s called constitutional carry.
State Senator Jon Erpenbach (D-Middleton) worries not requiring training could put the public at risk. He predicts there will be a case where someone is carrying a weapon just because they can, and end up using it improperly and injuring an innocent bystander. [Read more…]
Lawmakers have introduced two variations of a bill that would allow people to carry concealed weapons in Wisconsin. One sets up a licensing system, while the other version has no permitting restrictions.
Republican state Senator Pam Galloway (R-Wausau), a co-sponsor of the proposals, says the two variations of the bill are being offered because of the many variations of concealed carry policies across the country. She says many other states have had success with permitting systems, but others have been fine with simple constitutional or right to carry laws. [Read more…]