Eau Claire County Board Rejects Attempt to Oppose Concealed Carry Bill

Written By: Jerry Hanson  |  Posted: Wednesday, May 25th, 2011

                Tuesday, May 17, Eau Claire County Supervisor, Gerald Wilkie introduced a resolution to the Eau Claire County Board opposing concealed carry or any such legislation. In order to consider the resolution at Tuesday's meeting the county board would have been required to suspend the rules. The motion to suspend the rules failed the two thirds majority requirement with 12 aye, and 14 no. The resolution is likely to be voted on at the next county board meeting, June 20th. However, by that time, some version of a concealed carry bill will likely have been passed through the Wisconsin Legislature.

                The rush to pass the resolution was prompted by the introduction of two gun rights bills in the Wisconsin state legislature, SB 90 and SB 93. SB 90 is commonly referred to as "concealed carry," and basically requires a law-abiding citizen to receive a permit in order to carry a concealed weapon. SB 93 is commonly referred to as "constitutional carry," which restores to law-abiding citizens the right to carry a weapon concealed or openly without a permit. Wisconsin law presently allows open carry without a permit, but makes no provision for the ordinary citizen to carry a concealed weapon, even with a permit. Only Wisconsin and Illinois prohibit concealed carry. 39 states issue concealed carry permits to all qualified applicants. Vermont, Alaska, and Arizona allow lawful firearm owners to conceal carry guns without a permit (constitutional carry). 9 states issue permits only to those who present a reason for carrying a firearm.

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