Dems Fight To Prevent Concealed Weapons Legislation:
Amended Concealed Weapons
Returns For Senate To Consider
MADISON (Dec. 14, 2005) – In the wee hours of the night Assembly Democrats fought to provide increased protection for children, families and law enforcement officers during the debate on  concealed weapons. Democrats offered several amendments aimed at improving a bill considered by many to be one of the most extreme concealed carry proposals in the nation.
“The majority of the people in Wisconsin feel strongly that we shouldn’t be putting more guns on the street. However, if Republicans insist on ignoring the will of the people anyway there should be some common sense protections for Wisconsin citizen,” said Assembly Democratic Leader Jim Kreuser (D-Kenosha). “If we are going to have guns on the streets of Wisconsin we have to ensure that law enforcement officers have all the information available.”
Democrats offered amendments to: Allow ALL Law Enforcement Officers Access to the List of Concealed Weapons Permit Holders: An amendment added to SB 403 allows law enforcement officers access to the list but only in very limited situations. Democrats will fight to make sure all law enforcement officers have access to the list of permit holders in all instances.
Remove Oral Notification Requirement for Businesses: Currently SB 403, requires business owners to post a sign and orally notify each visitor or patron that concealed weapons are prohibited.
Banning Concealed Weapons at Public Parks and Playgrounds: SB 403 prohibits the carrying of concealed weapons in schools zones but does not cover other places that children congregate like public parks and playgrounds.
Keep Guns Out of Day Care Centers and Domestic Violence Centers: Despite a unanimous vote of the Joint Finance Committee to prohibit the carry of concealed weapons in day care centers and domestic violence shelters the Senate included an amendment in SB 403 to allow an opt-in provision for those facilities. Democrats feel we should ensure that concealed weapons are not endangering children or victims of violence.
"Law enforcement, the real experts on this issue, continue to have serious reservations about this bill and it's threat to public safety," Said Asst. Democratic Leader Jon Richards (D-Milwaukee). "They know that gun violence only leads to more gun violence. We should not be putting our law enforcement officials or our citizens in danger."
Despite their best efforts each of the Democratic amendments was defeated for the most part along party lines.
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