Legislative Agenda | Legislative Archive

Long-Term Care Legislative Update
November 9, 2005

Concealed Carry Bills Move Through Legislative Process

As you may already know by now, the Concealed Carry debate is in full swing at the state Capitol.  would allow Wisconsin residents who pass firearms training and obtain permits to carry concealed handguns and other weapons in most public places, the few exceptions include schools, taverns, and police stations.  A private employer may prohibit an employee from carrying a concealed weapon in the course of the employee’s employment unless the employee is in his or her own vehicle.

Both the Assembly and Senate met in Executive Session (vote on the bills) yesterday on Assembly Bill 763 and Assembly Bill 403, the companion bills that would allow citizens to carry a concealed weapon.  The Assembly Committee passed AB 403 7-5 (party line vote, Republicans v. Democrats) and the Senate is expected to do the same.  Amendments to the bills were defeated, including proposals to restrict concealed carry in universities\technical colleges, daycare centers, healthcare facilities, churches and to allow police officers to know if an owner of a vehicle has a concealed carry permit.

Both bills are expected to pass both houses of the legislature.  In addition, Governor Doyle is expected to veto the bills.  The real test is whether the veto override that will be attempted in both houses will be successful.  Last session the Senate successfully overrode the Governor’s veto and the Assembly failed by only one vote (Rep. Sherman (D-Port Wing) who originally voted for passage of the bill, but then voted against the veto override.

This year, the veto override will again be very close – likely within one or two votes in each house.

As I stated above, there is no exemption or prohibition (beyond employer \ employee prohibition) of carrying a concealed weapon in a healthcare facility.

AB 763 and SB 403 could be on the floor of the Assembly and Senate as early as tomorrow (Thursday).

I will be seeking an amendment with other healthcare associations that would prohibit concealed carry in healthcare facilities defined under Chapter 150.

(2) “Health care facility” means a facility, as defined in s. 647.01 (4), or any hospital, nursing home, community-based residential facility, county home, county infirmary, county hospital, county mental health center or other place licensed or approved by the department under s. 49.70, 49.71, 49.72, 50.02, 50.03, 50.35, 51.08 or 51.09 or a facility under s. 45.50, 51.05, 51.06, 233.40, 233.41, 233.42 or 252.10.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at the numbers provided below.


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Forbes D. McIntosh
Lobbying Consultant
Broydrick & Associates
44 E. Mifflin St., Ste. 404
Madison, WI  53703

Work: (608) 255-0566
Fax:  (608) 255-4612
Cell: (608) 332-5205

e-mail address: mcintosh@broydrick.com

Website:  http://www.broydrick.com