State Legislature Drops Four-Hour Training Requirement For Concealed Carry
Tuesday, November 8th, 2011 -- 12:14 PM
A couple of local law enforcement officials don?t agree with the legislature?s decision to remove a four-hour training requirement to get a concealed weapons permit.The duration-specific requirement was included in rules written by the Department of Justice, but Assembly Majority Leader Scott Suder (R-Abbotsford) said lawmakers did not create a minimum length for training courses on purpose.
"A specified amount of hours goes beyond the purview the of the Department of Justice and doesn't follow the intent of the legislature," Suder said.
Suder said each applicant should be able to decide how much training they need on their own.
But, Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen defended the four-hour requirement, arguing it's needed to provide an objective way to evaluate permit applications.
"If the four-hour rule is struck and the subjective requirement remains, it's open to anybody's interpretation and unenforceable as to whether that subjective criteria was met," he testified.
Based on the change made by a legislative committee Monday, those applying for a concealed carry permit will only need to have papers signed by an instructor indicating they completed some type of course. There will be no requirement to show how long the course took or where it was taken.
[b]LOCAL OFFICIALS WANT TRAINING[/b]
Neillsville Police Chief Brad Lindner and Clark County Sheriff Greg Herrick both support allowing residents to carry concealed weapons, but feel they should get training before earning a permit.
"I do feel people....should at least demonstrate that they know how to operate a handgun safely," Lindner reasoned, "there should also be training incorporated (about) when they can pull a weapon and point it at somebody, and, if the need arises, when they can actually shoot it at somebody."
Lindner disagrees with Suder?s assertion that individuals should be allowed to decide for themselves how much training they need.
"It raises some red flags," he said, "everybody knows somebody that may think they know how to handle a gun and when they can use it, but in your mind, you know that's definitely not the case."
Herrick says he feels four hours of training is the minimum someone should have before carrying concealed firearms and "strongly encourages" those applying for permits to take a course that explains how to properly handle a concealed weapon and when it can actually be used.
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