Panel amends, OKs concealed weapons bill

Panel amends, OKs concealed weapons bill

Businesses, hospitals, churches could ban guns

By STEVEN WALTERS

Last Updated: Oct. 13, 2003

Madison - Churches, businesses and hospitals could post "no guns allowed" signs under changes Republican state senators made to a controversial bill that would let Wisconsin residents carry concealed weapons.

In addition to authorizing 11-inch-by-11-inch signs near the entrances of public buildings, the three Republican senators on the Senate Judiciary, Corrections and Privacy Committee decided that places banning concealed weapons also would have to provide a verbal warning.

In another proposed change, the Republicans recommended letting employers prohibit concealed weapons in the workplace, although employers could not ban the weapons from employees' private vehicles. Also, businesses who let employees carry concealed weapons could not be sued for doing so, under the bill.

After those changes were made, the three Republican senators cleared the bill for debate by the full Senate - which could come as early as next week. Democratic Sen. Gary George of Milwaukee voted against the bill; Sen. Tim Carpenter (D-Milwaukee) did not vote on it Monday.

"This is a very important issue," said Sen. Dave Zien (R-Eau Claire), who has been pushing the concealed weapons bill for years. The full Legislature, controlled by Republicans for the first time in five years, is expected to approve it this fall.

National trend

The bill would make Wisconsin the 46th state to require local officials to issue a concealed weapons permit to someone at least 21 years old who completes a special gun safety or training course; pays $75; has never been convicted of a felony; and is not addicted to alcohol or drugs.

Guns would still not be allowed in taverns, unless they're in the possession of the bar's owner.

Zien insisted that the changes Monday should soften the opposition by Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle.

But Doyle spokesman Dan Leistikow said the governor's veto threat stands.

Changes that Republicans recommended Monday were "absurd window dressing," Leistikow said. The bill is "clearly flawed" and would threaten public safety by allowing guns in school zones and day care centers, he said.

In a statement, George said he had supported allowing concealed weapons in the past but voted against it Monday because of "the surge of gun violence in Milwaukee in his Senate district."

Opposition from Milwaukee County District Attorney E. Michael McCann and Milwaukee police influenced his decision, George said.

Opposition to the revised proposal also came from John Huebscher, executive director of the Wisconsin Catholic Conference, which had asked that the bill ban concealed weapons in churches.

"I don't know that churches ought to have to post signs to keep weapons out," he said.

Huebscher questioned why priests, pastors, ministers and other spiritual leaders should have to open worship services, weddings or ceremonys by specifically warning those in attendance that concealed weapons are not welcome. That is not a very "worshipful" way to open spiritual services, he said.

Zien was joined by Republican Sens. Cathy Stepp of Racine and Scott Fitzgerald of Juneau in voting to send the bill to the full Senate.

"This piece of legislation will save lives," Zien said.

Zien grudgingly agreed to the provision letting owners of commercial and non-profit businesses post signs telling visitors that no concealed weapons are allowed, he said.

Those signs can be a "magnet" for the mentally ill and would make people, in general, uncomfortable, Zien said.

Unlike Minnesota's law, the Wisconsin bill would not dictate the specific no-weapons-allowed message that owners and operators of public buildings should post. Minnesota legalized concealed weapons earlier this year and requires that signs identify the owner or operator of the building and note that they "ban guns in these premises."

The Mall of America has signs at every public entrance telling those with concealed weapons to leave them outside, said mall spokeswoman Monica Davis. Police have arrested one person for violating the ban, she added.

Bruce "Buzz" Anderson, president of the Minnesota Retailers buttociation, said the "no guns" signs on front doors triggered a controversy at first, with many businesses wondering whether to post them. But the furor has since died, and few retailers have erected the signs, he said.

"It's really not that big of an issue for retailers," he said.

From the Oct. 14, 2003 editions of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

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