New Bill Would Do Away with Permit and Training Requirement for Those Carrying Concealed Weapon
No training? No problem.
There's a new push to give concealed carry holders more freedom.
A new bill is making the rounds in Madison that would do away with permit and training requirements and could allow carriers to bring the weapon onto properties such as schools, unless there's a sign saying otherwise.
Republicans Mary Felzkowski of Irma and Dave Craig of Big Bend are looking for co-sponsors.
Felzkowski's office telling CBS 58 News that there will be a permit process so parents taking their children to and from school would not be prosecuted under federal law.
Past attempts to allow weapons on school grounds have failed with opposition from both parties.
The bill reads as follows:
Current law generally prohibits an individual from carrying a concealed weapon unless the individual has a license to carry a concealed weapon that is issued by the Department of Justice or unless the individual has a law enforcement identification card indicating that he or she is a qualified current or former law enforcement officer. This bill eliminates the general prohibition against going armed with a concealed weapon without regard to licensure status.
This bill also eliminates current law prohibitions against carrying firearms in specified places, but retains the current law that allows certain persons to post
buildings and grounds so that individuals who carry a firearm in violation of the posting commit trespass. For instance, this bill eliminates the prohibition on
carrying a firearm on school grounds and, for persons without a license to carry a concealed weapon, in a school zone. Instead, this bill allows schools to post their buildings and grounds under the trespassing laws. An individual who violates the trespassing provision is guilty of a Class C misdemeanor if the individual is in a posted school building and a Class B forfeiture if the individual is on the posted grounds of a school.
The National Rifle Association issued a statement of support:
The National Rifle Association Institute for Legislative Action (NRA-ILA) today applauds Rep. Mary Felzkowski (R-Irma) and Sen. Dave Craig (R-Big Bend) for introducing Wisconsin’s Right to Carry legislation that will simplify Wisconsin law and allow law-abiding gun owners to carry their firearm in the manner that best suits their needs.
“This important piece of legislation means law-abiding gun owners will no longer have to jump through government hoops and pay fees to exercise a basic constitutional right in the way that works best for them,” said Scott Rausch, NRA-ILA Wisconsin state liaison. “Right to Carry is commonsense legislation for Wisconsin.”
Current law in Wisconsin allows residents to openly carry a firearm without a permit as long as it can be seen, such as on their hip. However, the moment that gun owner puts on a jacket, they become a criminal.
The introduced ‘Right to Carry’ legislation will allow Wisconsinites who are not otherwise prohibited from owning firearms to lawfully carry a firearm under their jacket or in a purse without first having to get a permit.
The bill will also create a basic license that will allow parents to pick-up and drop-off their children from school without having to leave their firearm at home. Further, it expands where concealed carry is legal. For example, if passed, gun owners will also be able to carry on their person while driving – an aspect that simplifies a confusing 2011 law that ensnared otherwise law-abiding people.
Twelve states have constitutional carry laws and data analysis shows no increase in crime has occurred. This year, an additional 20 states have or are still considering similar legislation.
The bill does not affect who can carry a firearm. Anyone convicted of a felony or misdemeanor domestic violence, adjudicated mentally ill, dishonorably discharged from the military, or under 21, is not legally allowed to possess a firearm, and that remains so under LRB 2039.
“This NRA-backed bill is a step forward for freedom-loving Americans. There is no reason why law-abiding citizens should have to pay fees and fill out paperwork to exercise their rights,” concluded Rausch.
The NRA-ILA would like to thank Rep. Felzkowski and Sen. Craig for their leadership in proposing this legislation, and also extend a huge thank you to the 39 state Legislators who have added their names as co-authors of the legislation.