Legislation would benefit off-duty cops
Photo 
Joe Knilans
Photo
David Moore
Rep. Joe Knilans has co-authored legislation designed to allow off-duty police officers to carry concealed firearms within 1,000 feet of a school.
Knilans said the language of the current law prohibits everyone—off-duty officers included—from carrying near a school.
"Technically, an off-duty officer who was carrying would be in violation of the law if he or she simply drove by a school or showed up to pick up their child," the Janesville Republican said. "This legislation will fix that."
A federal law enacted in 2004 allows qualified law enforcement officers and retired officers to carry a concealed firearm in any jurisdiction in the United States.
Knilans said his proposed state legislation, which was co-authored with Rep. Jim Steineke, R-Kaukauna, also would ensure that law enforcement applicants would not have to go through the background checks and training courses required of other applicants. Furthermore, the state Department of Justice would be required to issue permits to law enforcement officers at no cost.
"Sometimes, you don't see all the quirks of legislation until after it's written and passed," Knilans said. "We see the problem now and are going back to fix it."
Janesville Police Chief Dave Moore said the state's concealed carry law was poorly written, particularly in its treatment of off-duty officers carrying firearms within 1,000 feet of a school.
He said that while it's unlikely an off-duty officer would be prosecuted for carrying inside the buffer, the law should be fixed. He said he raised those concerns with Knilans and is happy with the lawmaker's reception.
The legislation awaits a committee assignment.
Jan 23, 2012 at 4:16 p.m.
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LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS
Current Wisconsin Law enforcement officers.
Q: Has anything changed regarding the ability of current Wisconsin law enforcement officers carrying concealed weapons?
A: No. The CCW statute still exempts law enforcement officers (peace officers) from any prohibition on carrying concealed weapons. However, the definition of a peace officer for this purpose does not include a commission warden who is not state certified. Wis. Stat. §941.23(2)(a).
This applies to all LE Officers, both on duty and off duty.What part of this doesn't Knilans understand?
Once again, trying to create a solution to a problem that doesn't exist.
Jan 23, 2012 at 7 a.m.
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Ummmm..... The CCW law was broken from the beginning..... before the law your police officers could carry on or off duty... even in schools off duty... BECAUSE YOU PAY THEM TO PROTECT YOU.... Then the CCW law was quickly rammed through ... and suddenly the CCW holders had more rights to carry in certain places than the police officers... so the law Knilans is speaking of here fixes the broken law.... I personally want the trained police officers to have more rights to carry than the minimally trained CCW holders...
Jan 21, 2012 at 6:43 p.m.
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Ole David Moore and Joe Knilans arent for you and me, They Draw the line at Law Enforcement personnel . This is exactly what makes a "us against them" state of mind . and you gotta love this quote from Moore He said that,
"while it's unlikely an off-duty officer would be prosecuted for carrying inside the buffer, the law should be fixed."
Moore you talking your way right out of a Job .
Jan 21, 2012 at 6:32 p.m.
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Ohh it makes Sense....Its for Police and retired Police to Receive a FREE CC permit no Charge . Thats It .......is it fair ?....NO.....But Actually no one should have to pay . Your Right is just That Your Right....They should not cost you one red cent .
Jan 21, 2012 at 3:19 p.m.
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Maybe if the republicans weren't so busy ramming the bills through they would take time to review them and see if they actually make sense.
Jan 21, 2012 at 2:46 p.m.
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youkillme... thanks for the info. you might have swayed my vote to his side.
Jan 21, 2012 at 12:33 p.m.
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This is roll on the floor hilarious. The Republicans, working in secret with no interference from opposition lobbyists or even *gasp* the general public, can't even write a concealed carry bill to save their sorry butts.
Jan 21, 2012 at 12:24 p.m.
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http://www.blogrunner.com/snapshot/D/3/3... 6 dead,
http://www.witn.com/home/headlines/Kinst...
Thought his dau was intruder....
Jan 21, 2012 at 12:17 p.m.
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http://www.dnainfo.com/20100810/harlem/o...
Jan 21, 2012 at 12:14 p.m.
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http://www.usacarry.com/philadelphia-man... Opppps, my bad, sorry kids.
Jan 21, 2012 at 12:10 p.m.
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http://widk.com/2011/12/26/off-duty-cop-...
Jan 21, 2012 at 12:07 p.m.
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http://www.620wtmj.com/news/local/133146... off duty cop, shooting in mall...
Jan 21, 2012 at 11:44 a.m.
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saxcat, Knilans is no union republican. He was never union but always a republican. When he first heard about Walker's budget plan to terrorize the wage earning class and shut down union representation, Knilans began salivating.
Jan 21, 2012 at 11:06 a.m.
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People, there is an old adage: believe nothing you hear and only half of what you see. Read the bill: https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2011/re... This is a bill to make it so that the off duty officer can get his concealed carry permit at no cost, with no background check, and no proof of training. Uncle Jesse who posted below is 100% correct. This has nothing to do with an off duty officer having a concealed weapon by a school. I am not sure why Knilans is pushing that angle, or maybe he is asleep at the wheel not understanding what the bill is really about.
Jan 21, 2012 at 10:50 a.m.
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people like to dog this guy, but you have to give kudos to a union republican. so......does he know how to sympathize with both sides of the aisle, or take advantage of both sides of the aisle?
Jan 21, 2012 at 10:06 a.m.
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thanks for the details MikeF.
off duty officers are off duty, just like everyone else who works and when done, they are also off-duty...and regular citizens just like everyone else...no exception...
Jan 21, 2012 at 8:49 a.m.
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Shoot em up Knilans has to go.
Jan 21, 2012 at 5:47 a.m.
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Or Is all this about a off duty cop (private citizen) paying for a concealed carry permit ?
Jan 21, 2012 at 1:06 a.m.
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Based on the correspondence I've had with Knilans, I don't think he knows how to use a dictionary.
Perhaps a staffer could help him out there.
Jan 20, 2012 at 11:55 p.m.
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Joe better look at the differences in OPEN Carry NO permit vs Concealed Carry With Permit Laws .
Jan 20, 2012 at 11:44 p.m.
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joe is right on top of things again. this guy doesnt have a clue, on wants going on, around him. a perfect example of a follower, not a leader! time for joe,to say good bye, to his desk job,in madison!
Jan 20, 2012 at 8:14 p.m.
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http://www.doj.state.wi.us/dles/cib/Conc...
A. Current Wisconsin Law enforcement officers
Has anything changed regarding the ability of current Wisconsin law enforcement officers carrying concealed weapons?
No. The CCW statute still exempts law enforcement officers (peace officers) from any prohibition on carrying concealed weapons. However, the definition of a peace officer for this purpose does not include a commission warden who is not state certified. Wis. Stat. §941.23(2)(a).
Knilans' ignorance is astounding.
Jan 20, 2012 at 7:38 p.m.
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Thanks MikeF.
I would have eventually looked it up but you graciously did it.
"A person who is a CCW licensee or out-of-state CCW licensee may possess a firearm within 1,000 feet of the grounds of a school, but not in or on school grounds."
Jan 20, 2012 at 7:04 p.m.
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Good Job Joe
Jan 20, 2012 at 6:57 p.m.
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It's sad but not surprising that Knilans does not even know the law he voted for, but now wants to create a solution to a problem that doesn't exist.
This guy is clueless in more ways than one.
Jan 20, 2012 at 6:48 p.m.
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Joe--you gotta go.
Jan 20, 2012 at 6:37 p.m.
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I don't understand how this benefits off-duty officers.
Jan 20, 2012 at 6:23 p.m.
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Funny Rep. Knilans doesn't see the irony in restoring the 2nd amendment rights of police officers, but leaving every other upstanding citizen as a law breaker.
Jan 20, 2012 at 6:05 p.m.
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OK, took some time to look it up:
A person who is a CCW licensee or out-of-state CCW licensee may possess a firearm within 1,000 feet of the grounds of a school, but not in or on school grounds. Wis. Stat. § 948.605(2)(b)1r.
The CCW statute still exempts law enforcement officers (peace officers) from any prohibition on carrying concealed weapons. However, the definition of a peace officer for this purpose does not include a commission warden who is not state certified. Wis. Stat. §941.23(2)(a).
the former officer possesses a photo ID issued by the law enforcement agency from which the former officer separated from service and the ID indicates that within the past 12 months preceding the date of possession the former officer has been tested or found by the law enforcement agency to meet the standards for qualification in firearms training that the agency sets for active law enforcement officers to carry a firearm of the same type as the firearm the former officer is carrying. Wis. Stat. § 941.23(2)(c)1 and 941.23(3)(b)1.
All the above (and more!) from http://www.doj.state.wi.us/dles/cib/Conc...
So besides grandstanding and pretending to actually be doing something, what does Knilans' proposal do?
Jan 20, 2012 at 5:49 p.m.
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I thought the concealed carry law actually rescinds the 1000 foot rule. That is why schools are now posting no weapons in the building. Another law still makes it illegal to carry in a school, but the 1000 foot rule was rescinded for permit holders. Also, it sounds like the federal law already allows active and retired law enforcement officers to carry anywhere.
Other than the removal of the background check (which they should pass anyway) and the training requirement (which I would hope their police training would cover), what does this accomplish besides getting Knilans name in the paper again?
Jan 20, 2012 at 5:34 p.m.
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Wait a minute...I'm violating the law if I have a Concealed Carry permit and am legaly carrying and "simply drove by a school"????
Whoa!I guess I never thought of that.
Jan 20, 2012 at 5:32 p.m.
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Thanks Joe, for keeping the legislature focused on jobs and growing the economy.
(yes sarcasm)
Jan 20, 2012 at 4:59 p.m.
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Right are non-negotiable. Every citizen has the right to carry a firearm within 1000 feet of a school. You also have to be willing to put your life on the line for your rights, or you will lose them.
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