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http://www.journaltimes.com/articles/2003/09/10/local/iq_2442527.txt
Leveling the playing field? Debate over concealed gun laws brings emotional testimony
By Tom Sheehan
MADISON - A concealed carry law in Wisconsin would help "level the playing field" for potential crime victims, "such as little old ladies and store owners," said Sen. Dave Zien, R-Eau Claire.
But Milwaukee County District Attorney E. Michael McCann said he would just as soon have a thief get away with an armed robbery at a store than have a customer with a gun try to save the day.
"I don't want to be in a store where someone wants to intervene," McCann told legislators at a committee hearing at the state Capitol Tuesday. "The shooting will start, and no one knows who the victims will be."
Legislators on two committees heard testimony from supporters and opponents of bills that would allow citizens who qualify for a permit to legally carry concealed guns. Senate Bill 214 or Assembly Bill 444, which are identical, would end a 131-year-old state ban on people other than law enforcement officers from carrying concealed weapons.
Zien said more than 100 people appeared to testify, registering roughly at a ratio of four to one in support of the bills. The hearing overflowed from one of the Capitol's largest hearing rooms into three nearby rooms, featuring audio of the proceedings.
Teresa Sweet, from the St. Croix County community of Hammond in northwestern Wisconsin, said a gun could have prevented her from being sexually assaulted.
"Criminals have the level of surprise, and we should have that element of surprise, too," Sweet said of potential female crime victims. Sweet said she didn't report the assault for more than two years because she feared possible retaliation.
University of Wisconsin-Madison Police Chief Susan Riseling who is also president of the Wisconsin Chiefs of Police Association, said that organization opposes the bill. All but three of 180 chiefs who attended a recent meeting voted to oppose the bills, Riseling said.
"We believe 130 years of history show Wisconsin is one of the safest states in the country," said Riseling.
The bills generally would allow Wisconsin residents age of 21 and older and haven't been convicted of a felony, to seek a permit from a county sheriff. Applicants would have to go through training and background checks, a Legislative Reference Bureau analysis of the bills show. The bills would not allow possession of concealed weapons in most cases at police, sheriff or state patrol facilities and airports or other places where guns are restricted by federal law.
Wisconsin is one of just six states that doesn't have some sort of concealed carry law, said Darrin LaSorte, state liaison for the National Rifle Association.
Zien and State Rep. Scott Gunderson, R-Waterford, who introduced the bills, said a concealed carry law would raise doubt in criminals' minds. The bill would block anyone other than law enforcement authorities from knowing the names of permit holders, Gunderson said.
"That's the beauty of this bill," he said. "No one's going to know if I am or if I'm not carrying. I don't think it's in the best interest of the citizens who carries and who doesn't."
Zien challenged Gov. Jim Doyle to say if he would veto a concealed carry bill, if passed by the Republican-dominated Legislature. Doyle doesn't support the legislation, in part, because it would ease restrictions on concealed gun possession near schools, Leistikow said.
Leistikow did not say if the governor would veto the bill.
The bills would reduce penalties for carrying a concealed weapon in a school zone, and permit carriers could not be prosecuted for carrying a concealed weapon in school zones if they didn't intend to stay in the area, the analysis of the bill shows. Concealed weapons would not be allowed immediately on school grounds under the bill.
Rep. Robert Turner, D-Racine, said he belonged to the NRA until last year but quit because the group became too radical, he said.
"I don't support the idea of concealed weapons just like I don't support going out hunting with an AK-47," Turner said.
State Sen. Cathy Stepp, R-Yorkville, said the bill would help women protect themselves.
"I like the idea if I'm walking through a dark parking lot struggling with my keys and my purse that someone has to think about whether I have a gun," Stepp said.
Leveling the playing field? Debate over concealed gun laws brings emotional testimony
By Tom Sheehan
MADISON - A concealed carry law in Wisconsin would help "level the playing field" for potential crime victims, "such as little old ladies and store owners," said Sen. Dave Zien, R-Eau Claire.
But Milwaukee County District Attorney E. Michael McCann said he would just as soon have a thief get away with an armed robbery at a store than have a customer with a gun try to save the day.
"I don't want to be in a store where someone wants to intervene," McCann told legislators at a committee hearing at the state Capitol Tuesday. "The shooting will start, and no one knows who the victims will be."
Legislators on two committees heard testimony from supporters and opponents of bills that would allow citizens who qualify for a permit to legally carry concealed guns. Senate Bill 214 or Assembly Bill 444, which are identical, would end a 131-year-old state ban on people other than law enforcement officers from carrying concealed weapons.
Zien said more than 100 people appeared to testify, registering roughly at a ratio of four to one in support of the bills. The hearing overflowed from one of the Capitol's largest hearing rooms into three nearby rooms, featuring audio of the proceedings.
Teresa Sweet, from the St. Croix County community of Hammond in northwestern Wisconsin, said a gun could have prevented her from being sexually assaulted.
"Criminals have the level of surprise, and we should have that element of surprise, too," Sweet said of potential female crime victims. Sweet said she didn't report the assault for more than two years because she feared possible retaliation.
University of Wisconsin-Madison Police Chief Susan Riseling who is also president of the Wisconsin Chiefs of Police Association, said that organization opposes the bill. All but three of 180 chiefs who attended a recent meeting voted to oppose the bills, Riseling said.
"We believe 130 years of history show Wisconsin is one of the safest states in the country," said Riseling.
The bills generally would allow Wisconsin residents age of 21 and older and haven't been convicted of a felony, to seek a permit from a county sheriff. Applicants would have to go through training and background checks, a Legislative Reference Bureau analysis of the bills show. The bills would not allow possession of concealed weapons in most cases at police, sheriff or state patrol facilities and airports or other places where guns are restricted by federal law.
Wisconsin is one of just six states that doesn't have some sort of concealed carry law, said Darrin LaSorte, state liaison for the National Rifle Association.
Zien and State Rep. Scott Gunderson, R-Waterford, who introduced the bills, said a concealed carry law would raise doubt in criminals' minds. The bill would block anyone other than law enforcement authorities from knowing the names of permit holders, Gunderson said.
"That's the beauty of this bill," he said. "No one's going to know if I am or if I'm not carrying. I don't think it's in the best interest of the citizens who carries and who doesn't."
Zien challenged Gov. Jim Doyle to say if he would veto a concealed carry bill, if passed by the Republican-dominated Legislature. Doyle doesn't support the legislation, in part, because it would ease restrictions on concealed gun possession near schools, Leistikow said.
Leistikow did not say if the governor would veto the bill.
The bills would reduce penalties for carrying a concealed weapon in a school zone, and permit carriers could not be prosecuted for carrying a concealed weapon in school zones if they didn't intend to stay in the area, the analysis of the bill shows. Concealed weapons would not be allowed immediately on school grounds under the bill.
Rep. Robert Turner, D-Racine, said he belonged to the NRA until last year but quit because the group became too radical, he said.
"I don't support the idea of concealed weapons just like I don't support going out hunting with an AK-47," Turner said.
State Sen. Cathy Stepp, R-Yorkville, said the bill would help women protect themselves.
"I like the idea if I'm walking through a dark parking lot struggling with my keys and my purse that someone has to think about whether I have a gun," Stepp said.
