Wis. Senate sends concealed carry training bill to committee

MADISON -- Republicans in the state Senate have sent a bill that would do away with minimum concealed carry training requirements back to committee.

Wisconsin became the 49th state to allow concealed weapons in November. Republican Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen created a stir, however, when he issued an emergency rule requiring at least four hours of training to qualify for a permit.

The National Rifle Association objected and the Legislature's rules committee suspended the requirement.

The committee's move requires full legislative approval through a bill.

The bill was on the Senate calendar for a vote Tuesday, but Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald asked to ship the measure back to the Senate's scheduling committee. No one objected.

The Justice Department is crafting permanent language to reflect the rules committee's changes.