Web training may suffice for Wisconsin concealed-carry gun law

[undeterred]

MILWAUKEE - Wisconsin residents who want to carry a concealed handgun legally need to be trained first - but the state's new law could allow applicants to satisfy that requirement without ever touching a gun. The concealed-carry measure became law when Republican Gov. Scott Walker signed it Friday. A few minor parts take effect right away but most aspects don't go into effect until November.

The law, which now leaves Illinois as the only state without some sort of concealed-carry measure, allows about a half-dozen ways for a concealed-carry applicant to meet the training requirement and qualify for a permit. One is to complete a firearms safety course conducted by a certified firearms instructor. Because the law doesn't specify what constitutes a safety course, someone could sit through an online training course — including one that wasn't designed for concealed-carry purposes.

For example, a Maryland agency helped put together a 30-minute online video that discusses firearm use, safety rules, and cleaning and maintenance. The free video was created about 10 years ago after the state passed a law mandating that people take a safety class before buying a firearm, said Greg Shipley, a spokesman for the Maryland State Police who appeared in an early version of the video.

He said he'd be surprised if anyone in Wisconsin used the video to satisfy the concealed-carry training requirement. The video's "intent was for individuals in Maryland," he said. "There was no expectation that anyone outside Maryland would be using this to certify themselves." However, in a chat room for gun enthusiasts, several people shared a link to the Maryland video and said it would satisfy Wisconsin's requirement. The Wisconsin Department of Justice, which will issue concealed-carry licenses, said it was too early to say whether online training would meet the state's standards.

http://www.gmtoday.com/news/front/topstory01.asp

[cali]

1. In Vermont you don't even need a permit to conceal carry

Not a problem, really. But that's Vermont.

[nebenaube]

2. Our third generation Nazis want their guns...

Can't wait to see Dave Zien whip one out at the capital!

[msongs]

3. 2A does not require any training...or age limit...or mental stability test..or criminal checks lol n

[drpepper67]

4. Does Arizona require any training?

I don't think so.

Or a permit for that matter.....

[Ragnarok]

5. It will all shake out in the end

There is a reason these things take time to implement. As stated in the link in the OP, the Wisconsin DOJ is still deciding what the requirements will be. As long as you aren't a psycho, mentally daft or a criminal, I really don't care what training is required beyond the legal shoot/don't shoot stuff. The sort of folks who are handling a gun for the first time for a CCW class, aren't going to be very adept at gunmanship after the class anyhow. Folks who already shoot, aren't going to improve their marksmanship after attending the class. It's a feel good requirement to have someone go in and shoot for 15 or 30 minutes at a piece of paper. It does generate tax money by cranking out classes and certifying instructors for those classes, so it's not all useless. It doesn't really create a "safer" CCW holder, though maybe a somewhat more confident CCW holder.

Anyhow, there will be blood in the streets. Think about the children. It's all <politician's_name>'s fault! Blah, blah, blah.

[safeinOhio]

6. Sure, I watched the video.

Now, hold my beer and watch this......