Local police back concealed carry bill (Wisconsin)

[shadowrider]

Article posted 6/29/11

Posted: June 29, 2011

Area police chiefs are not opposed to a measure that would allow state residents to carry concealed weapons.

"We are meeting the constitutional requirement of the state. It's a good thing," said Village of Pewaukee Police Chief Ed Baumann.

Under a bill approved by the state Senate and Assembly, the measure requires people to get training and permits to carry concealed weapons. Wisconsin and Illinois are the only states to have bans on carrying concealed weapons. Gov. Walker has not yet signed the bill into law.

Baumann said he is happy that the bill includes the requirement of training, but added that there should be a component to show people have "a level of expertise, that they are proficient. You can't do that in a day, or a week, or a month."

Village police officers, he said, are tested four times a year. Those seeking permits also need to be instructed on the use of deadly force, he said.

http://www.livinglakecountry.com/lakecountryreporter/news/124714029.html

[safeinOhio]

1. Kicked and rec

for CCW holders being tested 4 times a year. Great idea. They should have "a level of expertise, that they are proficient. You can't do that in a day, or a week, or a month."

[eqfan592]

2. Do you feel the same about drivers? Nt

[safeinOhio]

3. Yup.

More folks killed on the road than with guns. I see people on the road every day texting, talking on the phone and breaking the speed limits every day. Get em off the roads. Safe drivers would be safer and insurance would go down. Thanks for the idea.

[eqfan592]

6. Fair enough.

I don't think its a realistic idea, and I think you are greatly overestimating the effectiveness of such a program (for both drivers and permit holders), but at least you are consistent in your beliefs.

[PavePusher]

4. And yet it's not a problem anywhere....

So why the overwhelming urge to Mrs. Grundy everyone?

When do we get to impose equivalent testing for our other Civil Rights?

[Blown330]

5. This is where technical ignorance...

...of the gun-control side often comes into play.


Equating police officers 4x per year qualification tables with expertise in firearms is laughable. Vast majority of police officers have very little in terms of practical training and application and their quarterly or semi-annual qualification is usually the only times they actually fire their assigned weapon. If a state wants to mandate that type of testing then it should have to pay for the ammunition and range time required.

[Travis_0004]

7. Police shoot innocent people much more often than CCW holders

I would argue that the 4 times a year isn't enough if police shooting stats are to be believed.

If there is trouble, police officers run towards it, CCW holders leave the scene. A cop might have to make a shot at 25 yards or more, a CCW holder would be much more likely to be able to get away without shooting if a threat was 25 yards away.

[Straw Man]

8. Kind of ironic ...

Kicked and rec

for CCW holders being tested 4 times a year. Great idea.

... when you consider that for most police officers, that's the only time they shoot. I shoot twice as much as that in a month. I have taken handgun classes alongside police officers. They weren't the bottom of the heap, but they weren't the top either.

I wouldn't object if the testing could be done at my convenience and their expense. Otherwise it's just another bureaucratic obstacle.