Wisconsin attorney general defends concealed-carry rules
MADISON, Wis. — Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen defended the state Justice Department’s concealed-carry regulations Thursday, saying the agency must define training requirements and verify it took place.
Republicans passed a law earlier this year that allows Wisconsin residents to carry concealed weapons. The Justice Department is scrambling to draft rules enacting the law, which is set to take effect Nov. 1.
The National Rifle Association sent Van Hollen a letter Wednesday accusing his agency of going overboard on the regulations. The association specifically took issue with provisions that call for at least four hours of training, including hands-on practice and requirements that instructors sign training completion certificates.
The association contends DOJ is micromanaging training and doesn’t have the authority to dictate training requirements or the form of completion documents to non-DOJ certified firearms instructors.
“We are frankly disappointed with the grudging attitude DOJ has taken toward this law,” Chris W. Cox, executive director of the NRA’s legislative arm, wrote. “The NRA has repeatedly been forced into extended and, at times absurd, debates with DOJ.”
Van Hollen, a Republican, said the law requires training but doesn’t clearly define what it should entail. That left DOJ with the choice of developing a curriculum or setting a minimum time limit, he said.
The attorney general said he didn’t believe the law allows DOJ to define training benchmarks, so the agency opted for time limits. Four hours seems to be widely accepted across the firearms training industry, he said. Plus, establishing minimum training hour requirement should deter judges from later dictating how much training people need.
“I’m surprised the NRA isn’t grateful,” Van Hollen said. “We’re making it as easy as possible.”
The rules don’t require any hands-on practice as Cox believes, the attorney general said. As for instructor signatures, DOJ must have a way to verify training took place, he said, and a signature is very little to ask.
The new law makes Wisconsin the 49th state to allow concealed weapons. Only Illinois prohibits them.
Under the statutes, which Republicans developed in conjunction with the NRA, anyone who is at least 21, passes a background check proving they’re not felons and passes a firearms training course or hunter safety education can obtain a permit to carry concealed handguns, knives and stun guns. They will be allowed to carry their weapons in most public buildings unless a sign prohibits them.
People can start applying for permits from DOJ on Nov. 1. Van Hollen says he expects at least 100,000 people to apply on the first day. The agency is racing to finish an emergency version of the implementation rules so Gov. Scott Walker can approve them by then. Asked when they would be completed, DOJ Executive Assistant Steven Means said they would be presented to the governor “soon.”
Walker spokesman Cullen Werwie declined to comment, saying the governor’s office wants to see the final rules.
Van Hollen said he will apply for a permit, saying carrying a concealed weapon is more practical to protect himself and his dog from wolves in northern Wisconsin. He said it’s highly unlikely he would carry in urban settings.
“I’m an unequivocal supporter (of the law),” he said.
The state Department of Administration has yet to release a policy on concealed weapons in state buildings and the state Capitol. Van Hollen said it’s not his decision to make, but he doesn’t have any problem with weapons in the Capitol.