Wisconsin swamped by concealed-carry applications
MADISON, Wis. -- Wisconsin residents have overwhelmed the state Justice Department with so many concealed weapon permit applications agency officials say they probably won't meet deadlines for issuing approvals this month despite pulling dozens of employees from other tasks to help.
A state law that allows Wisconsin residents to carry concealed weapons went into effect Nov. 1. Under the law, state residents 21 or older who submit $50 to the Justice Department, pass an agency background check and prove they have received some firearms training can obtain a permit to carry. The law requires the agency to process applications received before Nov. 30 within 45 days. Any applications received after that date must be processed within 21 days.
As of Dec. 28, DOJ had received 64,832 applications, issued 36,373 permits and denied 800, mostly because addresses applicants submitted didn't match their addresses in state Department of Transportation records, DOJ spokeswoman Dana Brueck said.
DOJ Law Enforcement Services Division Administrator Brian O'Keefe said the agency has received anywhere from hundreds to thousands of applications in a single day. He said the agency likely will need one to two extra days beyond the 45- and 21-day windows to get permits processed for several weeks starting in early January.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/chi-wisconsin-swamped-by-concealedcarry-applications-20120102,0,4559147.story
The backlash continues!
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