Posted on 11/07/2003 11:26:22 AM PST by ninenot
Waukesha - Citing fears of increased gun violence, many police chiefs and other officials in Waukesha County said Thursday they oppose legalizing concealed weapons in Wisconsin.
"We're opening the door to problems," Big Bend Police Chief John Hefley said as state lawmakers edged closer permitting residents to carry weapons.
Earlier Thursday, the Assembly had followed the Senate's lead in approving a bill requiring county sheriffs to issue permits allowing qualified applicants to carry concealed handguns or other weapons.
Gov. Jim Doyle has said he will veto any such measure, but legislative proponents are expected to mount a veto override effort.
Some area critics of the bill hope that Waukesha County seizes on an opportunity to opt out of concealed weapons, choosing not to issue that sort of permit to local gun owners, as allowed by current versions of the legislation.
Waukesha police Capt. Mike Babe said he would support that strategy.
"We're opposed to putting any more guns on the streets," Babe said.
But opting out would require the support of Waukesha County Sheriff Dan Trawicki, who has historically been an avid supporter of gun-owner rights. Trawicki was on vacation Thursday and could not be reached for comment.
County Board Chairman James Dwyer of Menomonee Falls said he did not know if there would be enough votes on the County Board to opt out. Doing so would require a two-thirds majority of the 35-member board, although the sheriff could disregard that and continue issuing permits, under the proposed legislation.
Dwyer said he opposes permitting concealed weapons because he believes it creates too much potential for increased gun violence.
"The principle of it, I think, is a problem," he said.
Under measures approved by both the Assembly and Senate, residents 21 and older could apply to their county sheriff for a permit to carry concealed weapons. To qualify, applicants would be required to complete safety training and could not have been convicted of a felony or other serious crime within three years.
Proponents argue that citizens should be allowed to carry concealed weapons to protect themselves against crime.
Waukesha County District Attorney Paul Bucher said he opposes changing the law.
Bucher said he is most concerned that the proposed legislation would allow concealed weapons in vehicles, putting police officers at risk whenever they make a traffic stop.
He said he has testified before lawmakers against legalizing concealed weapons and still feels that way.
"If I'm sitting in a room with 10 people, and they don't have guns, I feel safer," he said. Of several Waukesha County law enforcement officials interviewed Thursday, none expressed support for concealed weapons.
Brookfield Assistant Police Chief Dean Collins said the bill approved in the Senate would prohibit police officers from checking whether a person has a concealed weapon permit before attempting to arrest that person.
"This lack of intelligence could place officers in serious jeopardy," Collins said.
Menomonee Falls Police Chief Jack Pitrof said, "Any time officers are faced with potential danger, I would be against it."
Capt. Paul Geiszler of the Muskego Police Department said he would like to see Waukesha County opt out of legalized concealed weapons, if the law passes.
Although opting out would not necessarily prohibit local residents from getting permits in other counties, under the current proposal, Geiszler said, he would hope to restrict the proliferation of guns in Waukesha County.
"I'm a cop," he said. "I don't carry a gun off duty."
Hartland Police Chief Robert Rosch said officers undergo extensive training before being allowed to carry weapons. He questioned the wisdom of allowing citizens to carry weapons without similar training.
Rosch said he fears the proposed law would turn simple street fights into deadly violence.
Nancy Northshore decides to do some shopping at Grand Avenue Mall, so she packs her .38 snubby into her purse, hops into her BMW, drives downtown, and parks in the Grand Ave parking structure. Little Rastus P. Wilson, three time rape ex-con, decides to give Nancy Northshore some lovin right there in the parking structure, but lo and behold, Nancy dispatches Rastus to his enternal judgement.
Marvin Pratt, Eugene Kane, former (thank God!) Chief Arthur Jones, and Michael McGee stage nightly candlelight vigils. Not to be left out of the camera, Jesse Jackass and Kweisi Mfume join in the fun. "Justice" is demanded. Cars get turned over, houses get torched, windows get smashed.
Nancy Northshore's attorney notifies the DA's office that, if prosecuted, they will demand a jury trial, and a change of venue.
E. Michael McCann's worst nightmare.
When E. Michael McCann finally drops all charges against Nancy Northshore of Whitefolks Bay WI because no jury in the country would convict her, the race hustlers and their minions vote him out of office in the next election.
I'm sure he's a great guy, but he's probably an exception. I reckon that about only 10% of professional law enforcement are qualified supporters of Shall Issue CCW laws. But that 10% is the exception that basically proves the rule. That leaves the other 90% as essentially hostile.
It's understandable. The patrol sheriff or beat cops that I have had conversations with regarding CCW's are not supportive of them or are downright hostile because they fear for THEIR safety, never mind ours. And the Chiefs of Police and the elected County Sheriffs are, for the most part against shall issue, if not adamantly opposed because it's politically correct.
My opinion is not an indictment of LEO's, but an observation. I am not saying don't trust them, just don't place too much dependence on their support. If we depend on LEO's help to preserve the 2nd. Amendment, it will be like waiting for the French Cavalry to save the Alamo.
I'm not sure what happened with them...but it appears LeRoy's various personalities have rejoined.
It's not that way here in most of WI. In the cities chiefs staff their force with folks of the appropriate attitude. The chiefs themselves were chosen that way. In the other areas the cops are just regular citizens doing their job and their friends are the folks that live around there. That connection to the real world is what causes them to side with their friends. When anyone gets and remains nervous when their friends and neigbors have guns available, there is something wrong with them.
Dude, I live in Milwaukee county.
I wish I could remark that well about where I live on the edge of the LA area. It's rare to get to know a policeman here in any way other than professional. The cop's I know by name are ones I know and know me at the shooting range. The majority of rural area LEO's understand that those who live in remote areas needs their own tools for self defense. City-bred cops have a different view and it shows in their gun control politics. Some city cops have never even held a gun until they get to the police academy. Sad.
. When anyone gets and remains nervous when their friends and neighbors have guns available, there is something wrong with them.
I agree. It's the area here and the times. Most city cops don't hunt, so they don't know any civilians that are well trained in handling guns. Some of the cops are such poor shots at the range where I shoot, that I wouldn't want to ride with them as their partner. Also, the worse shot they are, the more they are against CCW's
The urban areas are really quite different in attitude than the rural. Unfortunately those urban areas are "Blue States". They should all be Red, White and Blue.
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