[eno_]

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."

Transalation: Anything that makes it less convenient to search the peasantry, NEVERMIND we will already have made them jump through background check hoops that conclusively determines that are NOT CRIMINALS, is bad.

Alternative translation: Shaking down the public for fines and manufacturing probable cause to seize a vehicle will be less comfortable, so this is bad.

[ninenot]

My email to Bucher: In this morning's JSOnline you are quoted to the effect that passage of the CCW bill will 'endanger officers making traffic stops.' Perhaps you don't know that for the last 5-10 years, all Wisconsin law enforcement officers have parked their cruisers at an angle when making a traffic stop. The nose of the car is toward the roadbed, and the tail is toward the ditch. I asked an officer why he had parked in this fashion (now and then I drive a little over the limit) and he indicated that the cruiser's angle provided cover for the officer in case the detained individual came out of the car with a weapon. While a determined detainee could certainly inflict harm, this now-very-old practice of the officers will serve to minimize such harm. I would also be very interested in any statistical evidence you have which shows that licensed individuals have attacked police officers at traffic stops. Sincerely,

Bucher's email to me:

There is no statistical evidence, it is common knowledge the most dangerous time for on an officer is at a traffic stop. Most police shootings do occur at a traffic stop. Domestic violence calls is a another one. Just so you know, in every police shooting I have had (some were killed others injured) the squad car was parked at an angle to provide cover for the officer. Unfortunately at close range it provides nothing. I am not opposed to the legislation overall, I have however requested that they exclude carrying a concealed weapon in a motor vehicle. They have not done so. As the bill is currently drafted, it is flawed. I am not opposed to citizens carrying a concealed weapon. I am opposed to the bill AS CURRENTLY drafted. I have given them suggestions as to how to fix the problems. They have not. I hope this clarifies my position as well as my comments to the reporter. Thanks for your comments however.

That's HIS grammar, spelling, and paragraph construction, folks.

Note the sidestepping---

Of course, I emailed him back again requesting SPECIFICALLY the stats on LICENSED CCW holders who assaulted police officers.

But you get the idea: Bucher wasn't happy that the Legislature didn't listen to him--so he's stamping his feet.