Wisconsin Panel OKs concealed weapons bill
Date: Oct 14, 2003 7:32 PM
Panel OKs concealed weapons bill
By Matt Pommer
October 13, 2003
A state Senate committee today endorsed a bill to legalize
the carrying of concealed weapons, after adding a property
rights amendment. Its chief author said the bill would make
Wisconsin safer.
The amendment would allow property owners to post signs
saying they prohibit the carrying of concealed weapons.
Churches, businesses, banking institutions and medical
facilities had sought the right to prohibit the carrying of
concealed weapons in their buildings.
Under the legislation a person would be required to get a
license to carry a concealed weapon. A background check and
gun training would be required to obtain the license.
Even with the signs, a licensed person could not be arrested
unless he or she was personally told about the company's
policy and refused to leave the building, according to a
bill analysis.
"This legislation will save lives," said Sen. Dave Zien,
R-Eau Claire, at an impromptu press conference after the
committee action. The law will "make people feel safer."
Zien also predicted the "vast majority" of both active and
retired police "are going to be for it." He said no police
officer has ever been killed because of a licensed person
carrying concealed weapons.
Zien predicted the "no concealed weapons here" signs
wouldn't last long. Those signs can actually attract
criminals, he said, and those who agree with concealed
weapons will boycott businesses that forbid it.
In July the state Supreme Court ruled that a 1998
constitutional amendment did not give an absolute right to
carry weapons. The carrying of guns and other weapons is
still subject to "reasonable restrictions," said Justice
David Prosser in the majority opinion.
Prosser's decision invited the Legislature to set out
restrictions, including consideration of a license or permit
system.
After the decision, Gov. Jim Doyle indicated his opposition
to the measure. Doyle was out of the city today and
unavailable for comment. But earlier he said, "In all my
years as a prosecutor and attorney general, I have stood
with law enforcement on this. I do not think Wisconsin is a
safer place if people are carrying concealed weapons."
The proposed legislation doesn't change the state
prohibition against customers taking weapons into taverns,
or the federal law that prohibits guns within 1,000 feet of
school buildings.
Zien said the legislation might need to be more finely tuned
to accommodate the concerns of church, business and medical
leaders.
Date: Oct 14, 2003 7:32 PM
Panel OKs concealed weapons bill
By Matt Pommer
October 13, 2003
A state Senate committee today endorsed a bill to legalize
the carrying of concealed weapons, after adding a property
rights amendment. Its chief author said the bill would make
Wisconsin safer.
The amendment would allow property owners to post signs
saying they prohibit the carrying of concealed weapons.
Churches, businesses, banking institutions and medical
facilities had sought the right to prohibit the carrying of
concealed weapons in their buildings.
Under the legislation a person would be required to get a
license to carry a concealed weapon. A background check and
gun training would be required to obtain the license.
Even with the signs, a licensed person could not be arrested
unless he or she was personally told about the company's
policy and refused to leave the building, according to a
bill analysis.
"This legislation will save lives," said Sen. Dave Zien,
R-Eau Claire, at an impromptu press conference after the
committee action. The law will "make people feel safer."
Zien also predicted the "vast majority" of both active and
retired police "are going to be for it." He said no police
officer has ever been killed because of a licensed person
carrying concealed weapons.
Zien predicted the "no concealed weapons here" signs
wouldn't last long. Those signs can actually attract
criminals, he said, and those who agree with concealed
weapons will boycott businesses that forbid it.
In July the state Supreme Court ruled that a 1998
constitutional amendment did not give an absolute right to
carry weapons. The carrying of guns and other weapons is
still subject to "reasonable restrictions," said Justice
David Prosser in the majority opinion.
Prosser's decision invited the Legislature to set out
restrictions, including consideration of a license or permit
system.
After the decision, Gov. Jim Doyle indicated his opposition
to the measure. Doyle was out of the city today and
unavailable for comment. But earlier he said, "In all my
years as a prosecutor and attorney general, I have stood
with law enforcement on this. I do not think Wisconsin is a
safer place if people are carrying concealed weapons."
The proposed legislation doesn't change the state
prohibition against customers taking weapons into taverns,
or the federal law that prohibits guns within 1,000 feet of
school buildings.
Zien said the legislation might need to be more finely tuned
to accommodate the concerns of church, business and medical
leaders.
