Local opinions divided on concealed carry bill

By KURT NESBITT

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM --In the eyes of some local people, the proposed changes to Minnesota's firearms laws are either a cause for concern or a reason to cheer.

The proposed law would require law enforcement officials to issue permits to carry concealed weapons to anyone without a history of chemical dependency, mental illness or felony convictions. No longer would applicants have to prove a threat to their safety in order to be eligible for a permit.

It would shift the responsibility for issuing those permits away from local police chiefs and towards county sheriffs. It would allow concealed weapons in public places as long as the person carrying the weapon also carries a permit.

The state House of Representatives passed the measure on an 88-46 vote on Wednesday after its authors attached it to a DNR bill. That bill is currently in the Senate and could either go to a conference committee or a vote soon. Gov. Tim Pawlenty has said he would sign the bill if it passes the Senate. The law would take effect 30 days after the governor's signature.

Much of the bill does not seem to differ from the current law. The bill keeps the penalties for possession of an unlicensed firearm on school property but changes the level of the offense from a gross misdemeanor to a petty misdemeanor. It still requires background checks during the application process and requires anyone who applies for a permit to apply in the county where they live.

Sen. Dennis Frederickson, R-New Ulm, said he has received letters from constituents on both sides of the issue. He said most of the people who live in cities seem to oppose the bill while many rural people generally seem to favor it.

Supporters of the bill like it for three reasons. According to Frederickson, many see it as their right to defend themselves.

The bill's critics generally seem to think there are enough guns already, Frederickson said.

Comments from law enforcement officials have been divided on the issue, he said; sheriffs and police chiefs generally do not seem to support the bill although many rank-and-file officers support the changes.

Harold Remme, superintendent of New Ulm Public Schools, said District 88 has not had any problems with guns being brought into schools, although he recalled a couple of instances in the past where students left guns in their cars after hunting earlier in the morning. Even so, the changes proposed in the bill has Remme and other educators worried.

"One, the penalty is too mild. Two, it repeals the (police chief's) issuing authority. Three, people can sit in cars in the parking lots," Remme said. "I would like to keep all weapons off school property."

Brown County Sheriff TIm Brennan said he opposes the changes because it could make law enforcement potentially more hazardous. He said he considers the possibility of more people carrying weapons a serious issue that may cause his deputies to get used to a new way of life that will be more serious and more stressful.

"We won't know who has one and who doesn't," Brennan said. "How are we going to know who's who? It's going to be harder and more dangerous for sure."

Brennan also said the time needed to make throughout background checks could eat up more staff time in light of growing concerns from Brown County commissioners about the state budget crunch.

New Ulm Police Chief Erv Weinkauf, however, said he sees few problems with the bill. He said the shift in responsibility for issuing a permit from the local police chief to the county sheriff is not a problem for him, but could be for other departments.

Weinkauf said he has issued 51 permits to purchase a gun and four permits to carry in the time he has been the police chief in New Ulm. He said he has denied four requests.

Minnesota is the most recent state to have a debate among lawmakers over concealed weapon laws. A total of 34 states already have laws similar to the bill in the Senate; law enforcement officials are required by law to issue permits to any citizen who meets the legal requirements. Ten states, including Minnesota, currently allow officials broad discretion over who gets a permit. Private citizens are barred from carrying concealed weapons in six states.