flynn want to let retired cops carry guns...............because they are just so much better than the rest of us.
WISCONSIN CHIEFS OF POLICE ASSOCIATION
LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE ANNUAL REPORT
2005-2006 Legislative Session
August 10, 2006
Chief Ed Kondracki
WCPA President
La Crosse Police Department
400 La Crosse Street
La Crosse, WI 54601
Dear Chief Kondracki:
The WCPA Legislative Committee experienced an up and down year. The session was not as
hectic as usual for the second year of a Legislative Session, and legislators seemed to focus on a
small select number of topics such as TABOR, Concealed Carry, Defining Marriage, etc. The
committee addressed several issues of state-wide concern to both our membership and the
residents of our individual jurisdictions. The committee reviewed many Senate and Assembly
Bills which would have a direct impact on the law enforcement community. The following is a
brief list of the more significant issues that the Legislative Committee tracked on behalf of the
WCPA membership.
Primary Legislative Proposals Reviewed by the Legislative Committee from August
2005 to August 2006.
The Law Enforcement Officer’s Safety Act – HR 218
As chair of the Legislative Committee, I continue to spend a great deal of time on this particular
issue. This federal law passed several years ago and was so poorly written that it has been
extremely difficult for police agencies across the country to implement the law in its current
version. We continue to receive correspondence from many retired and former law enforcement
officers demanding an answer for what they view as our association stone walling the
implementation of the Federal Law in Wisconsin. I have met with representatives from the
Attorney General’s Office, grass roots groups, and Legislators to explore options for
implementation. The most expedient method of implementing the federal law would have been
for the legislature to embrace the Attorney General’s recommendations to change state law giving
the Training and Standards Board the authority to create a uniform firearms qualification standard
for former and retired police officers who wish to qualify to carry a concealed weapon. As I have
reported on several occasions, nothing will proceed on implementing this law until the legislature
decides to stop playing political football with the issue and stop laying the blame on law
enforcement’s door step.
Chief Ed Kondracki
Page 2
We continue to work with stakeholders on this issue to find a reasonable solution while protecting
our membership and the public who we have taken an oath to protect.
“The Personal Protection Act” Assembly Bill 763 – Senate Bill 403 (Concealed Carry)
This proposal which has been introduced in various versions for the past five consecutive
Legislative Sessions is related to permitting state residents and licensed permit holders from other
states to carry concealed weapons in our state ending a 144 year public policy prohibiting
concealed weapons from being carried in our state.
Assembly Bill 763 and Senate Bill 403 passed both houses. Governor Jim Doyle vetoed the bill
and the Assembly was not able to override the Governor’s Veto. This has been the result for the
past two legislative sessions.
Wisconsin is now one of two states which do not have a Concealed Carry Law. Illinois is the
other state.
During this year’s legislative session, the primary legislative authors of this bill have announced
their plans to release a new version during next year’s legislative session. They have indicated
that their new version of the bill will have fewer restrictions than the version vetoed by the
Governor this year. I believeWisconsin will be the battle ground state for the NRA on this issue
because they feel Wisconsin is more vulnerable than Illinois.
A lot will depend on the outcome of the Gubernatorial Election in November. If Governor Doyle
is returned to office, it will be difficult for the Republican controlled legislature to override his
veto on this legislative proposal. If Mark Green wins the Governor’s Office, he has already
indicated that he will sign a concealed carry bill if it makes it to his desk.
Our association participated with the Wave (Wisconsin Anti-Violence Effort) organization in an
effort to ensure this proposed legislation did not pass. In May Governor Doyle commended
WAVE for efforts in making Wisconsin a safer place to live.