AB444: Bill Text

AB444,14,3 (d) The individual is not prohibited from possessing a firearm under s. 941.29.

AB444,14,5 (e) During the preceding 3 years, the individual has not been civilly committed under s. 51.20 for being drug dependent.

AB444,14,9 (f) During the preceding 3 years, the individual has not been convicted for any violation, or for the solicitation, conspiracy, or attempt to commit any violation, of ch. 961 or of a federal law or a law of another state that is comparable to any provision of ch. 961.

AB444,14,14 (g) The individual does not chronically and habitually use alcohol beverages or other substances to the extent that his or her normal faculties are impaired. A person is presumed chronically and habitually to use alcohol beverages or other substances to the extent that his or her normal faculties are impaired if, within the preceding 3 years, any of the following applies:

AB444,14,16 1. The individual has been committed for involuntary treatment under s. 51.45 (13).

AB444,14,17 2. The individual has been convicted of a violation of s. 941.20 (1) (b).

AB444,14,19 3. In 2 or more cases arising out of separate incidents, a court has found the individual to have committed a drunk driving offense.

AB444,14,20 (h) The individual has done one of the following:

AB444,14,22 2. Successfully completed a National Rifle Association firearm training or firearm safety course or class.

AB444,14,25 3. Successfully completed a firearm training or firearm safety course or class conducted by an instructor certified either by the state in which the course or class was conducted or by the National Rifle Association.

AB444,15,6 4. Successfully completed a firearm safety or firearm training course or class that is available to the general public and that is offered by a law enforcement agency, a private or public school, institution, or organization, or a firearm training school, if the course or class uses instructors certified by the National Rifle Association or the department or if the curriculum meets the minimum requirements of the law enforcement standards board.

AB444,15,9 5. Successfully completed a firearm safety or firearm training course or class offered for law enforcement officers, correctional officers, special deputies, private detectives licensed under s. 440.26, or other security or law enforcement personnel.

AB444,15,12 6. Participated in organized shooting competitions or military training that gave the applicant experience with firearms that the sheriff determines is substantially equivalent to any course or class specified in subds. 2. to 5.

AB444,15,16 (i) The individual has not been found incompetent under ch. 880 or, if the individual has been found incompetent under ch. 880, he or she was subsequently found to be competent and at least 5 years have elapsed from the date that he or she was found to be competent.

AB444,15,22 (j) The individual has not been involuntarily committed for treatment under s. 51.20 due to mental illness or a developmental disability or, if the individual has been involuntarily committed for treatment under s. 51.20 due to mental illness or a developmental disability, he or she shows, through evidence from a psychiatrist licensed in this state, that he or she has not been disabled due to mental illness or a developmental disability for at least 5 years.

AB444,15,24 (k) The individual has not been found incompetent under s. 971.14 or, if the individual has been found incompetent under s. 971.14, one of the following applies:

AB444,16,2 1. He or she was subsequently found to be competent and at least 5 years have elapsed from the date that he or she was found to be competent.

AB444,16,5 2. He or she was not subsequently found to be competent and he or she shows, through evidence from a psychiatrist licensed in this state, that he or she has not been disabled due to mental illness or a developmental disability for at least 5 years.

AB444,16,10 (L) The individual has not been been found not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect under s. 971.17 or, if the individual has been found not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect under s. 971.17, he or she presents evidence from a psychiatrist licensed in this state that he or she has not been disabled due to mental illness or a developmental disability for at least 5 years.

AB444,16,14 (m) Within the preceding 3 years, the individual was not convicted of a misdemeanor crime of violence or was not serving a sentence, on probation, or subject to a dispositional order under ch. 938 for committing a misdemeanor crime of violence.

AB444,16,17 (n) The individual has not been charged with a felony or a misdemeanor crime of violence for which the prosecution was suspended under a deferred prosecution agreement unless 3 years have elapsed since the date of the agreement.

AB444,16,20 (o) The individual is not the subject of any pending civil or criminal case, the disposition of which could disqualify him or her from having a license under this subsection.

AB444,16,23 (p) The individual has not previously submitted an application for a license under this section to any county and had the application denied, unless each reason for the denial is no longer applicable because of changed circumstances.

AB444,17,3 (q) The individual has not had a license that was issued under this section revoked, unless each reason for the revocation is no longer applicable because of changed circumstances.

AB444,17,5 (r) The individual has not been convicted of a violation of sub. (17) (c), (d), or (e).

AB444,17,6 (s) The individual is a Wisconsin resident.

AB444,17,19 (5) Application and renewal forms. The department shall design an application form for use by individuals who apply for a license under this section and a renewal form for use by individuals applying for renewal of a license under sub. (15). The department shall complete the design of the application form no later than the first day of the 4th month beginning after the effective date of this subsection .... [revisor inserts date], and shall complete the design of the renewal form no later than the first day of the 54th month beginning after the effective date of this subsection .... [revisor inserts date]. The department shall distribute the designs for both forms to any sheriff who issues licenses under sub. (2) (a) or (c) for use in making the application forms and the license renewal forms described in this section. The forms designed by the department under this subsection shall require the applicant to provide his or her name, address, date of birth, race, gender, height, weight, and hair and eye color and shall include all of the following:

AB444,17,21 (e) A statement that the applicant is eligible for a license if the requirements specified in sub. (3) are met.

AB444,17,24 (f) A statement explaining the privilege of self-defense and defense of others under s. 939.48, with a place for the applicant to sign his or her name to indicate that he or she has read and understands the statement.

AB444,18,2 (g) A statement that the applicant has received a copy of this section and understands the requirements of this section.

AB444,18,5 (h) A statement that the application is being made under oath and that an applicant may be prosecuted if he or she gives a false answer to any question on the application or submits a falsified document with the application.

AB444,18,7 (i) A statement of the penalties for giving a false answer to any question on the application or submitting a falsified document with the application.

AB444,18,10 (6) Oath. An applicant shall swear under oath that the information that he or she provides in an application submitted under sub. (7) and any document submitted with the application is true and complete to the best of his or her knowledge.

AB444,18,13 (7) Submission of application. An individual may apply for a license under this section with any sheriff. An applicant shall submit all of the following to the sheriff through whom he or she is applying for a license:

AB444,18,15 (a) An application in the form prescribed under sub. (5) that has been sworn to as required under sub. (6).

AB444,18,18 (bd) A license fee set by the sheriff issuing the license that does not exceed either the cost to the sheriff of issuing a license to an individual under this section, including the cost of equipment purchase or rental, or $75, whichever is less.

AB444,18,19 (bh) The fee for a firearms restrictions record search specified in sub. (9g) (c).

AB444,18,20 (bp) A shooting range improvement fee of $15.

AB444,18,21 (bt) A law enforcement excellence fund fee of $15.

AB444,18,23 (d) A photocopy of a certificate or other evidence showing the applicant's qualifications under sub. (3) (h).

AB444,18,25 (e) A full-face photograph of the applicant taken within the 30-day period immediately preceding the date of the applicant's application.

AB444,19,3 (9) Processing of application. (a) Upon receiving an application submitted under sub. (7), a sheriff shall request the department to conduct a firearms restrictions record search, as provided under sub. (9g).

AB444,19,5 (b) Subject to par. (c), within 21 days after receiving an application under sub. (7), a sheriff shall do one of the following:

AB444,19,6 1. Issue the license.

AB444,19,9 2. Deny the application if the applicant fails to qualify under the criteria specified in sub. (3). If the sheriff denies the application, he or she shall inform the applicant in writing, stating the reason for the denial.

AB444,19,16 (c) Except as provided in sub. (9r), a sheriff may not issue a license until 7 days, subject to extension under sub. (9g) (b) 3. c., have elapsed from the time that the sheriff has received a confirmation number regarding the firearms restrictions record search under sub. (9g) (b) 1. from the department, unless the department has notified the sheriff that the background check does not indicate that the applicant is disqualified for a license under sub. (3) (c), (d), (f), (g) 2. or 3., (k), (L), (m), (n), (o), or (r).

AB444,19,21 (9g) Firearms restrictions record searches. (a) A sheriff shall request the department to conduct a firearms restrictions record search by calling the department, using a toll-free telephone number provided by the department, and providing the department with the name, date of birth, gender, and race of the applicant.

AB444,19,23 (b) Upon receiving a request under par. (a), the department shall conduct a firearms restrictions record search using the following procedure:

AB444,19,25 1. The department shall provide the sheriff with a confirmation number confirming the receipt of the information under par. (a).

AB444,20,5 2. The department shall conduct the firearms restrictions record search regarding an applicant for a license under this section. In conducting a search under this subdivision, the department shall use the transaction information for management of enforcement system and the national crime information center system.

AB444,20,8 3. The department shall notify the sheriff, either during the initial telephone call or as soon thereafter as practicable, of the results of the firearms restrictions record search as follows:

AB444,20,13 a. If the search indicates that the applicant does not qualify for a license under sub. (3) (c), (d), (f), (g) 2. or 3., (k), (L), (m), (n), (o), or (r), the department shall provide the sheriff with a unique nonapproval number. The department shall disclose to the sheriff the reason the applicant does not qualify for a license under sub. (3) (c), (d), (f), (g) 2. or 3., (k), (L), (m), (n), (o), or (r).

AB444,20,16 b. If the search does not indicate that the applicant is disqualified for a license under sub. (3) (c), (d), (f), (g) 2. or 3., (k), (L), (m), (n), (o), or (r), the department shall provide the sheriff with a unique approval number.

AB444,20,23 c. If the search indicates that the applicant was the subject of a criminal charge for which there is no recorded disposition and the 7-day time period described in sub. (9) (c) has not yet run, that time period is extended by 72 hours. The department shall notify the sheriff of the extension as soon as practicable. During the extended period, the department shall make all reasonable efforts to determine the disposition of charge for which there is initially no recorded disposition and shall notify the sheriff of the results of its efforts as soon as practicable.

AB444,21,3 (bm) The department shall conduct the search under par. (b) immediately if, when requesting the search under par. (a), the sheriff informs the department that the search is for an applicant for an emergency license under sub. (9r).

AB444,21,8 (c) The department shall charge a sheriff a fee of $8 for each firearms restrictions record search that the sheriff requests under par. (a), except that the department shall waive the fee if, when requesting the search, the sheriff informs the department that the fee is being waived under sub. (9r) (c). The sheriff shall collect the fee from the applicant unless the fee is waived under sub. (9r) (c).

AB444,21,13 (d) A sheriff shall maintain the original record of all completed application forms and a record of all confirmation numbers and corresponding approval or nonapproval numbers that he or she receives regarding firearms restrictions record searches under this subsection. The sheriff shall mail a duplicate copy of each completed application form to the department.

AB444,22,2 (e) 1. The department shall check each duplicate application form received under par. (d) against the information recorded by the department regarding the corresponding request for a firearms restrictions record search under this subsection. If the department previously provided a unique approval number regarding the request and nothing in the duplicate completed application form indicates that the applicant is not qualified for a license under sub. (3) (c), (d), (f), (g) 2. or 3., (k), (L), (m), (n), (o), or (r), the department shall, except as provided in subd. 2., destroy all records regarding that firearms restrictions record search within 30 days after receiving the duplicate form. If the department previously provided a unique approval number regarding the request and the duplicate completed application form indicates that the applicant is not qualified for a license under sub. (3) (c), (d), (f), (g) 2. or 3., (k), (L), (m), (n), (o), or (r), the department shall immediately notify the sheriff who issued the license, and the sheriff shall revoke the license.

AB444,22,7 2. The department may maintain records necessary to administer this subsection and, for a period of not more than 3 years after the department issues a unique approval number, a log of dates of requests for firearms restrictions record searches under this subsection together with confirmation numbers and unique approval and nonapproval numbers corresponding to those dates.

AB444,22,15 (9r) Emergency license. (a) Unless the sheriff knows that the person is not qualified for a license under sub. (3) (a) to (g) or (i) to (s), a sheriff may issue a license under this section to an individual who does not satisfy the requirements under sub. (3) (h) without regard for the waiting period under sub. (9) (c) if the sheriff determines that immediate licensure is warranted to protect the individual from death or great bodily harm, as defined in s. 939.22 (14). A sheriff who issues a license under this paragraph shall notify the department and request an immediate firearms restrictions record search under sub. (9g).

AB444,22,17 (b) 1. Except as provided in subd. 2. and par. (d), a license issued under par. (a) is valid for 120 days from the date on which it is issued and may not be renewed.

AB444,22,20 2. If the department notifies the sheriff that an individual to whom the sheriff has issued a license under par. (a) does not qualify for a license under sub. (3) (c), (d), (f), (g) 2. or 3., (k), (L), (m), (n), (o), or (r), the sheriff shall revoke the license.

AB444,22,24 (c) A sheriff may waive the fees that would otherwise be required under subs. (7) (bd), (bh), (bp), and (bt) and (9g) (c) for an individual who is applying for a license under par. (a) if requiring the individual to pay the fees would create a hardship for the individual.

AB444,23,4 (d) A person who has been issued a license under par. (a) may obtain a license under sub. (2) if he or she meets the qualifications specified under sub. (3) and completes the application process specified in sub. (7). A license issued to a person under par. (a) is void if the person is issued a license under sub. (2).

AB444,23,7 (10) Exemption from background check. Notwithstanding sub. (9) (a), a sheriff shall issue a license under this section to any of the following individuals without requesting the background check required under sub. (9) (a):

AB444,23,8 (a) A law enforcement officer.

AB444,23,9 (b) A correctional officer.

AB444,23,10 (c) A probation, parole, and extended supervision agent.

AB444,23,12 (d) A person who holds a current certification from the law enforcement standards board under s. 165.85 (3) (c).

AB444,23,17 (11) Licensee information. (a) A sheriff who issues licenses to carry a concealed weapon under this section shall, within 5 days after issuing a license, notify the department that he or she has issued a license under this section and provide the department with the information specified in sub. (2m) (b) concerning the individual to whom the license was issued.

AB444,23,24 (am) The department shall maintain a computerized record listing the names of all individuals who have been issued a license under this section along with the information concerning each individual that is provided to the department by a sheriff under par. (a). After entering the information that it receives under par. (a), the department may not store, maintain, format, sort, or access the information in any way other than by the name of the licensee or the identification number assigned to the licensee under sub. (2m) (b) 8.

AB444,24,4 (c) The department and any sheriff issuing licenses under this section shall provide information concerning a specific licensee to a law enforcement agency if the law enforcement agency is requesting the information for any of the following purposes:

AB444,24,6 1. To confirm that a license produced by an individual at the request of a law enforcement officer is valid.

AB444,24,9 2. To confirm that the individual holds a valid license under this section, if the individual is going armed with a concealed weapon but is not carrying a license issued under this section and claims to hold a valid license issued under this section.

AB444,24,13 3. To investigate whether an individual intentionally falsely swore under sub. (6) or (15) (b) 2., intentionally violated sub. (12) (a), or intentionally made a false statement to a sheriff in connection with the individual's request for an emergency license under sub. (9r).

AB444,24,17 (d) 1. In this paragraph, "clerk" means the clerk of the circuit court or, if it has enacted a law or an ordinance in conformity with s. 346.63, the clerk of the court for a federally recognized American Indian tribe or band in this state, a city, a village, or a town.

AB444,24,20 2. The clerk shall immediately notify the department of the name of any individual with respect to whom any of the following occurs and the specific reason for the notification:

AB444,24,25 a. The individual is charged with a felony, a misdemeanor crime of violence, a violation of ch. 961, the solicitation, conspiracy, or attempt to commit any violation of ch. 961, a violation of s. 941.20 (1) (b), a violation of sub. (17) (c), (d), or (e), or any other crime that, upon conviction, would disqualify the individual from having a license under this section.

AB444,25,1 b. The individual is charged with a drunk driving offense.

AB444,25,3 c. The individual is found by a court to have committed any offense described in subd. 2. a. or b.

AB444,25,5 d. Prosecution of a felony or a misdemeanor crime of violence for which the individual is charged is suspended under a deferred prosecution agreement.

AB444,25,6 e. The individual is found incompetent under s. 971.14.

AB444,25,8 f. The individual is found not guilty of any crime by reason of mental disease or mental defect under s. 971.17.

AB444,25,10 g. The individual is involuntarily committed for treatment under s. 51.20 or 51.45.

AB444,25,11 h. The individual is found incompetent under ch. 880.

AB444,25,13 i. The individual becomes subject to an injunction described in s. 941.29 (1) (f) or is ordered not to possess a firearm under s. 813.125 (4m).

AB444,25,15 j. A court has prohibited the individual from possessing a dangerous weapon under s. 969.02 (3) (c).

AB444,25,21 3. Upon receiving a notice under subd. 2., the department shall immediately determine if the individual who is the subject of the notice is a licensee, using the list maintained under par. (am). If the department determines that the individual is a licensee, the department shall immediately inform the sheriff of the county that issued the license of the individual's name and the basis for the notice under subd. 2.

AB444,25,25 (12) Updated information. (a) Within 10 days after being charged under federal law or the law of another state with any crime or any drunk driving offense, a licensee shall notify the sheriff of the county that issued his or her license of the charge.