bigdaddy1
Regular Member
Madison - After weeks of refusing to weigh in on what a bill to allow people to carry concealed weapons should look like, Gov. Scott Walker said Friday the measure should include requirements that people obtain permits and get training.
The move is a blow to some of Walker's fellow Republicans in the Senate who have tried to advance a bill that would allow people to carry hidden guns without getting permits or training. A bill that fits the description of "constitutional carry" was approved by a Senate committee last week, but some Republicans in the Senate have opposed the measure.
The Assembly has a different version of concealed carry that would require people to obtain permits, but not training.
Four states allow "constitutional carry," and only Wisconsin and Illinois have outright bans on carrying a concealed weapon.
Months ago, a Walker aide said Walker would sign any concealed carry legislation that got to him, but that was before the idea of "constitutional carry" had been proposed.
On Thursday, Milwaukee Police Chief Edward Flynn sharply criticized the bill allowing concealed carry with almost no restrictions and called on Walker to provide "adult supervision" over the legislation.
The governor responded with a statement: "If a concealed carry bill reaches my desk, it should include a permit and training provisions."
Walker spokesman Cullen Werwie said the statement does not necessarily mean the governor would veto "constitutional carry," but that Walker would prefer training and permits.
"It's premature to talk about vetoes, but certainly we're throwing our weight behind this one," Werwie said.
Reaction was divided.
Flynn did not return a request for comment but issued a statement through a department spokeswoman.
"Chief Flynn is very encouraged by Governor Walker's remarks," the statement read. "He is grateful that the governor is taking a leadership position.
"Public safety requires a permitting process assuring that only the law-abiding and competent carry a concealed weapon."
Nik Clark, chairman and president of Wisconsin Carry Inc., said Walker should back a pure version of "constitutional carry."
"I'm definitely disappointed that the governor doesn't take a principled and practical position on this," said Clark, a Milwaukee business executive.
"I'm disappointed the governor doesn't look at other states that don't require training or permits and see that they don't have any problems and recognize that there's no reason to have required permits and training here. I'm disappointed that in an era of smaller government and less taxes, the governor is advocating for more government and more taxes, in the form of an administration to issue permits and charge fees."
Clark said the bill moving through the Senate would require most people in Milwaukee to obtain a permit because much of the city falls within gun-free school zones. That should address Flynn's objections, he said.
If this is the case, he will be voted out.
The move is a blow to some of Walker's fellow Republicans in the Senate who have tried to advance a bill that would allow people to carry hidden guns without getting permits or training. A bill that fits the description of "constitutional carry" was approved by a Senate committee last week, but some Republicans in the Senate have opposed the measure.
The Assembly has a different version of concealed carry that would require people to obtain permits, but not training.
Four states allow "constitutional carry," and only Wisconsin and Illinois have outright bans on carrying a concealed weapon.
Months ago, a Walker aide said Walker would sign any concealed carry legislation that got to him, but that was before the idea of "constitutional carry" had been proposed.
On Thursday, Milwaukee Police Chief Edward Flynn sharply criticized the bill allowing concealed carry with almost no restrictions and called on Walker to provide "adult supervision" over the legislation.
The governor responded with a statement: "If a concealed carry bill reaches my desk, it should include a permit and training provisions."
Walker spokesman Cullen Werwie said the statement does not necessarily mean the governor would veto "constitutional carry," but that Walker would prefer training and permits.
"It's premature to talk about vetoes, but certainly we're throwing our weight behind this one," Werwie said.
Reaction was divided.
Flynn did not return a request for comment but issued a statement through a department spokeswoman.
"Chief Flynn is very encouraged by Governor Walker's remarks," the statement read. "He is grateful that the governor is taking a leadership position.
"Public safety requires a permitting process assuring that only the law-abiding and competent carry a concealed weapon."
Nik Clark, chairman and president of Wisconsin Carry Inc., said Walker should back a pure version of "constitutional carry."
"I'm definitely disappointed that the governor doesn't take a principled and practical position on this," said Clark, a Milwaukee business executive.
"I'm disappointed the governor doesn't look at other states that don't require training or permits and see that they don't have any problems and recognize that there's no reason to have required permits and training here. I'm disappointed that in an era of smaller government and less taxes, the governor is advocating for more government and more taxes, in the form of an administration to issue permits and charge fees."
Clark said the bill moving through the Senate would require most people in Milwaukee to obtain a permit because much of the city falls within gun-free school zones. That should address Flynn's objections, he said.
If this is the case, he will be voted out.
:uhoh:
