Wisconsin Green Party
wisconsingreenparty.org
November 14, 2005
Contact:
Ald. Pete Karas, 262-498-5021
Ald. Austin King, 608-345-8720
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Pending Hidden Weapon Legislation to add Millions to Local Budgets,
Diverting Budget Dollars from Public Safety, Public Works, and Public
Interest Budgets
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Greens call for "Spend and Shoot" Legislators to Live Up to Fiscal
Responsibility Promises.
At a press conference in Racine today, Green Party elected municipal
officials from across Wisconsin announced that they will be proposing amendments to their local budgets to financially plan in the event that the
bill allowing the carrying of concealed weapons (CCW) virtually anywhere, by
virtually anyone, becomes law in our State.
Under the proposed CCW legislation, cities, villages, towns and counties
could only prohibit permit holders from carrying concealed weapons into
municipal buildings - such as city hall, community centers, or public libraries - if expensive metal
detectors and locking gun cabinets are purchased, installed, and attended at all building entrances.
"It is an insult to public safety to allow people to carry hidden and loaded
weapons into public buildings where our citizens and employees should be
guaranteed a safe visit and workplace," said Ald. Pete Karas of Racine. "If
this bill becomes law in Wisconsin, how many municipal services will we have
to cut to pay for the wishes of those few who want to a carry concealed
handgun?"
Conservative cost estimates run from $35,000 in the Villages of Hales
Corners and Somers to almost $1,000,000 for just three buildings in Madison
and over $730,000 for the most at-risk buildings in Racine. After the
initial purchase of the metal detectors and gun cabinets, the operational
expenses will recur year after year. The Statewide cost of this bill is
potentially in the tens of millions of dollars.
"Besides the obvious safety concerns associated with more guns on the
street, the fiscal effect on local municipalities and counties will be
extraordinary," said Larry Harding, Trustee of the Village of Somers. "We
consistently hear the 'Shoot and Spend' Republicans in the State legislature
talk of lower taxes, TABOR, and fiscal responsibility, when in reality, they
have no use for their 'values' when they choose to serve special interest
groups like the pro gun lobby, instead of those they were elected to represent."
"There is an irony of having to take police officers off the street and away
from protecting us so that we can hire people to stand at building entrances
and check for weapons," noted Alder Austin King from Madison.
The Wisconsin Green Party opposes a Concealed Carry in Wisconsin for public
safety and financial reasons. At the same time, the rights of sportsmen and
hunters and the lawful ownership of firearms are supported.
