Wisconsin - SB 403 Right-To-Carry Permit System

WHAT THE LEGISLATION DOES

• Creates a fair and equitable process for law-abiding Wisconsin citizens 21 and older to apply to the Department of Justice for a permit to carry a concealed firearm.
• Permits are valid for five years.
• Applicants must: 
  • Pay $75 to cover the costs associated with the permitting system;
  • Pass a criminal background check conducted by the Department of Justice;
  • Complete an approved firearm safety course;
• The state will recognize permits issued by other states that perform criminal background checks on applicants.
• Licenses may be renewed after completing a background check and four-hour refresher training course.
• Permitees will be prohibited from carrying their guns in some locations, including police stations, sheriff's offices, state patrol stations, prisons, jails, taverns that have gross receipts in alcohol sales that account for more than 50% total sales, school administration buildings, and in secure areas of airports.

WHY WISCONSIN NEEDS A FAIR RIGHT-TO-CARRY LAW

• Wisconsin is one of only four states that totally disallow honest citizens from carrying concealed firearms for self-defense.
• The FBI reports that Right-to-carry states have violent crime rates that are 21% LOWER than states that do not. 
• SB 403 guarantees Wisconsin citizens the same right to self-defense already available to the majority of Americans, including those who live in the neighboring states of Minnesota, Michigan, and Iowa.
• FBI reports that there are over 12,000 violent crime (murder, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault) victims every year in Wisconsin.  These citizens deserve the opportunity to defend themselves.
• Research has shown that violent crime rates tend to drop when Right-to-Carry permits become available.

ANSWERS TO THE CRITICS

• The nations's violent crime rate has decreased every year since 1991 and in 2004 hit a 30-year low. In the same period, 8 states adopted and 13 states improved Right-to-Carry laws.
• SB 403 places very strict standards on those wanting a permit. Applicants must also undergo rigorous safety training and pass an extensive criminal background check, and have no recent history of drug or alcohol abuse.
• Experience in other states that have passed "shall issue" systems shows that trends in gun sales remain stable, with no wild fluctuations in handgun sales. Firearm accident rates have continued to decline as well.
• Few permits are revoked for cause in the states that have permits, and Wisconsin can look forward to the same. For instance, Florida (which has had a permit system for years) has revoked only 155 of 1,080,000 permits issued for “Firearms Related Offenses.” (Source: Florida Department of State).  This is only 0.014% of all permits issued.  The vast majority of these did not involve discharge or “intent to harm.”