Legislators to vote Tuesday
By Matt Pommer
January 26, 2004
madison.com
Police officials today disputed claims that a concealed weapons bill would reduce crime while not endangering law enforcement personnel.
The claims had been made Thursday by Senate Assistant Majority Leader David Zien, R-Eau Claire, minutes after the Senate voted to override Gov. Jim Doyle's veto of the bill. The Assembly is expected to act on the veto override this week.
"This statement doesn't square with the facts involving the experience of other states with concealed carry laws," said Sauk County Sheriff Randy Stammen.
"An analysis of Texas data reveals that between 1996 and 1999, Texas permit holders were arrested for weapons-related offenses at a rate that was 66 percent higher than that of the general population," Stammen said.
Steve Moe, president of the Wisconsin Sheriffs and Deputy Sheriffs Association, said he was "deeply troubled" by Zien's comments that no law enforcement officer has even been shot at by a concealed weapons license holder in more than 80 years.
Moe cited a Sept. 3, 1998, situation in which Edward Premo, a Connecticut permit holder, shot at officers who came to his home to investigate whether he had vandalized a neighbor's car. Premo whipped out a semi-automatic pistol and shot both officers at close range, seriously wounding them. He also wounded a third officer who had responded to the call for help.
Moe said investigators found nine explosive booby traps, hand grenades, dynamite pipe homes and guns in Premo's home. Two of the state troopers were permanently disabled, Moe said.
He also assailed Zien's comment that legislators who oppose his concealed weapons bill "would have blood on their hands if the governor's veto of the (concealed carry) bill is sustained."
Moe said that "this emotionally charged rhetoric serves as a direct and radical affront to challenge the integrity of Wisconsin government and its system of justice. There is no place in Wisconsin government for deception and excessive intimidation, especially when it comes to setting public policy on the use of deadly force."
Sheriffs association Director James Cardinal cited the case of Green Lake Deputy Sheriff Bruce Williams, who was shot and killed in October.
"Even the potential to kill one peace officer goes down extremely hard in the Wisconsin law enforcement community at this time," Cardinal said.
As the Assembly prepared to vote, possibly Tuesday, Doyle today repeated his call for the Assembly to reject the bill that would allow the carrying of concealed weapons.
"Representatives will make a simple choice: stand with law enforcement and protect public safety, or stand with the gun lobby," Doyle said this morning at a news conference in Cudahy.
But Jim Fendry, director of the Wisconsin Pro-Gun Movement, argued that having no law could mean more unregulated guns than if the bill became law.
He cited a state Supreme Court decision last summer that overturned the conviction of a store owner who had a concealed gun in his establishment.
If the veto is upheld, Wisconsin might end up with a situation similar to Vermont where anyone can carry a concealed weapon, Fendry told The Capital Times. It's better to have a law that requires training and screens those seeking a permit, he said.
"I am cautiously optimistic that there will be more than enough votes to override the veto," Fendry said.
The store owner's case was one of two gun decisions rendered at the same time by the high court. In another case, the court upheld the conviction of a man who had a concealed gun in his car.
Justice Davis Prosser, writing for the majority in the gun cases, added as "commentary":
"The approval of a state constitutional right to keep and bear arms for security, defense, hunting, recreation and any other lawful purpose will present a continuing dilemma for law enforcement until the Legislature acts to clarify the law."
Doyle, in his appearance with police leaders, called the coming vote "an important choice for the people of Wisconsin."
The governor criticized provisions of the measure that would keep secret the names of people who get a permit.
"Under this bill, you can find out whether someone has a hunting license, but if they have a concealed weapons permit, that's kept secret," Doyle said. "Not even the police will be able to know whether someone they pull over on a traffic stop is licensed to carry a gun."
The Assembly vote, he said, "will decide whether we allow lethal weapons into the YMCA, into crowded shopping malls, where our kids are at rock concerts and movie theaters, ... at the State Fair, and even on playgrounds."
He urged the Assembly to sustain the veto and get to work on other issues.
"This bill doesn't create a single job, doesn't help a single Wisconsin citizen afford health care, and doesn't improve schools for a single Wisconsin child," Doyle said.
"I urge the Legislature to quickly get back to the issues that really matter: strengthening our schools, improving our health care and creating jobs for our citizens."
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