Weekend Talker: Now That You Can Conceal Carry, Will You?

Conceal carry is nearly a done deal in Wisconsin. Earlier this week, the bill passed the Assembly after sailing through the Senate.

While there are a lot of questions about training and the length of permit periods, the bill seems to be generally well-received.

In a nutshell, the law:

• Creates a licensing system under which an individual is permitted to carry a concealed weapon.
• Makes changes in Wisconsin law to account for a federal law that requires the state to permit an individual who works as or who formerly worked as a federal, state, tribal, or local law enforcement officer in Wisconsin or in any other state to carry a concealed firearm.
• Makes changes to laws regulating firearms and other weapons.
• Residents will not be able to carry guns into churches, police stations and other public buildings, or onto airplanes. 
• Licensed permit holders can transport their weapon in a vehicle. 
• Business owners have the right to not allow concealed weapons into their establishments and employers retain the right to not allow employees to carry concealed guns while at work.
• Convicted felons cannot carry concealed weapons.

Police personnel in Mount Pleasant, Sturtevant, and Caledonia all worry about potential for increased violence since civilians most likely won't receive anywhere near the kind of "perceived threat" training that police go through. They also agree that the CCW law will have little effect on reducing crime.

Will you consider getting a Conceal Carry permit?