State to hire more workers to process concealed-carry applications

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- The Legislature's finance committee has approved a state Justice Department request for another $788,600 to hire more workers to process concealed carry applications.

The DOJ has been grappling with a deluge of permit applications since the Republican-authored concealed carry legislation took effect in November. As of mid-June the agency was receiving more than 2,000 applications per week.

The agency asked the Joint Finance Committee for permission to spend $788,548 from application revenue to hire eight more two-year workers, a new firearms unit supervisor and additional office supplies.

Committee members had until Monday, July 2nd to object to the request. The panel's Republican co-chairs, Sen. Alberta Darling and Rep. Robin Vos, said in a letter Tuesday that no one had objected and the request was approved.

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