STATE OF WISCONSIN
Department of Justice
ORDER adopting EMERGENCY RULES
Introductory Clause
The State of Wisconsin Department of Justice (“DOJ”) proposes an order to amend Wis. Admin. Code s. Jus 17.03(8), relating to the firearms training required for licenses authorizing persons to carry concealed weapons under s. 175.60, Stats. ______________________________________________________________________________
Analysis by the Department of Justice
The proposed emergency rule will amend Wis. Admin. Code s. Jus 17.03(8) by repealing the requirement that a “firearms safety or training course,” as defined and used in Wis. Admin. Code ch. Jus 17, must have a student‑teacher ratio less than or equal to 50:1. The proposed emergency rule will be followed by a proposed permanent rule, also repealing the 50:1 requirement. The legality of the 50:1 requirement is being challenged in pending litigation. In the course of that litigation, DOJ has determined that the 50:1 requirement is not enforceable under existing law and should be repealed. Consistent with that determination, DOJ has ceased enforcement of the 50:1 requirement. The public welfare requires formal repeal of the 50:1 requirement by emergency rule in order to make it clear to the public that the requirement is no longer being enforced and to promptly resolve the pending litigation with the least burden and inconvenience to the Court and the parties and with the least litigation expense to the people of the State of Wisconsin.
The scope of the proposed emergency rule was described in a scope statement approved by the Governor on January 27, 2016.
Explanation of statutory authority:
The proposed rule is authorized by s. 227.11(2)(a), Stats., which confers on each administrative agency the power to promulgate administrative rules that the agency determines to be necessary to effectuate the statutory provisions administered by the agency, as long as those rules do not exceed the bounds of correct interpretation of those provisions. The rule proposed here is necessary to effectuate those portions of s. 175.60, Stats., that require DOJ to establish and operate procedures governing the issuance of concealed carry licenses to qualified applicants, including verification that each applicant has satisfied the applicable statutory training requirements, has passed the mandatory background check, and has met all of the other statutory eligibility requirements for a license.
Related statutes or rules: None.
Plain language analysis: Under existing law, a qualified Wisconsin resident may obtain from DOJ a license (“CCW license”) that permits the licensee to carry a concealed weapon anywhere in this state except as specifically prohibited by statute. See s. 175.60 (2g) (a), Stats. The eligibility requirements for a CCW license include a requirement that the applicant provide proof of firearms training or equivalent firearms experience in any of a number of statutorily enumerated forms. See s. 175.60 (3) (g), (4) (a), and (7) (e), Stats. Several of the enumerated categories use the phrase “firearms safety or training course.” See s. 175.60 (4) (a) 1. b. to e., Stats. The statute does not, however, define the meaning of that phrase. On May 31, 2013, DOJ promulgated permanent administrative rules relating to CCW licenses. Those rules include a definition of “firearms safety or training course” which provides, in pertinent part, that such a course must be “instructor-led.” Jus 17.03(7). The rules also include a definition of the term “instructor-led” which provides, in pertinent part, that an instructor-led course must have “an instructor-student ratio that does not exceed 50 students per instructor.” Jus 17.03(8). Read together, those definitions require that a “firearms safety or training course” for CCW licensing purposes under s. 175.60 (4) (a) 1. b. to e., Stats., must have a student‑teacher ratio less than or equal to 50:1. Under s. 227.10 (2m), Stats., “[n]o agency may implement or enforce any standard, requirement, or threshold, including as a term or condition of any license issued by the agency, unless that standard, requirement, or threshold is explicitly required or explicitly permitted by statute or by a rule that has been promulgated in accordance with [subchapter II of ch. 227, Stats.]” Under s. 227.11 (2) (a) 3., Stats., “[a] statutory provision containing a specific standard, requirement, or threshold does not confer on the agency the authority to promulgate, enforce, or administer a rule that contains a standard, requirement, or threshold that is more restrictive than the standard, requirement, or threshold contained in the statutory provision.” In addition, s. 175.60 (2) (b), Stats., expressly prohibits DOJ from imposing conditions, limitations, or requirements on the issuance of a CCW license that are not specifically provided for in s. 175.60, Stats. DOJ has concluded that the statutory provisions described in the preceding paragraph render unenforceable the 50:1 student-teacher ratio requirement in Jus 17.03 (8). In accordance with that conclusion, DOJ has ceased enforcing the 50:1 requirement. The rule proposed here will remove the 50:1 requirement from Jus 17.03 (8) and will thereby carry into effect the legislative policies contained in the above-referenced statutory provisions. The alternative of not removing the 50:1 requirement from Jus 17.03 (8) would be contrary to those legislative policies and would leave in the Administrative Code a requirement that DOJ is no longer enforcing.
Summary of, and comparison with, existing or proposed federal regulation: For persons other than current and former law enforcement officers, the regulation of the carrying of concealed weapons is primarily governed at the state level. Numerous federal statutes and regulations restrict the possession of weapons that have been shipped in interstate commerce, but there are no federal regulations that relate to training for state CCW licensing.
Comparison with rules in adjacent states:
A. Iowa
Iowa provides by statute that any person who meets specified eligibility and training requirements and who files a proper application shall be issued a nonprofessional permit to carry weapons. Iowa Code § 724.7(1). Iowa statutes specify a variety of methods by which a license applicant may demonstrate the requisite knowledge of firearms safety. Iowa Code § 724.9(1). Satisfaction of any of these methods may be documented by submitting: (1) a copy of a certificate of completion or similar document for a course or class that meets the statutory requirements; (2) an affidavit from the instructor or organization conducting such a course or class that attests that the applicant has completed the course or class; or (3) a copy of any document indicating participation in a firearms shooting competition. Iowa’s administrative rules give these requirements additional substantive content through definitions of “firearm training and documentation” and “firearm training program.” Iowa Admin. Code § 661.91.1(724).
B. Minnesota
Minnesota provides by statute that any person who meets specified eligibility and training requirements and who files a proper application shall be issued a permit to carry a pistol. Minn. Stat. § 624.714(2). A permit applicant must have received training in the safe use of a pistol within one year prior to the application. Minn. Stat. § 624.714(2a)(a). To establish such training, an applicant must submit a copy of a certificate signed by the training instructor and attesting that the applicant attended and completed the training. Minn. Stat. § 624.714(3)(c)(2). C. Michigan
Michigan provides by statute that any person who meets specified eligibility and training requirements and who files a proper application shall be issued a license to carry a concealed pistol. Mich. Comp. Laws § 28.425b(7). A license applicant must demonstrate knowledge and training in the safe use and handling of a pistol by successfully completing a pistol safety training program that meets statutorily prescribed requirements. Mich. Comp. Laws § 28.425b(7)(c). The training program must consist of at least eight hours of instruction, must cover specified subject areas, must include at least three hours on a firing range, must require firing at least 30 rounds of ammunition, and must be taught by an instructor certified by the state or by a national organization. Mich. Comp. Laws § 28.425j(1). The training program must provide an instructor-signed certificate indicating that the program meets the statutory requirements and was successfully completed by the license applicant and the applicant must include a copy of that certificate with the license application. Mich. Comp. Laws §§ 28.425b(1)(j) and 28.425j(1)(c). D. Illinois
Illinois provides by statute that any person who meets specified eligibility and training requirements and who files a proper application shall be issued a license to carry a concealed firearm. 430 ILCS 66/10. A license applicant must provide proof of successful completion of a firearms training course that has been approved by the Illinois Department of State Police. The training course must be at least 16 hours in length, must cover specified subject areas, and must include successful completion of a live fire exercise with a concealable firearm. 430 ILCS 66/25 and 75.
