Madison — Republican lawmakers are moving quickly on bills to allow people to carry concealed weapons without any training and potentially without having to obtain state permits.

Wisconsin and Illinois are the only states that do not allow people to carry concealed guns and other weapons. Republicans in the Legislature passed concealed weapons bills in 2003 and 2005, but they were vetoed by then-Gov. Jim Doyle, a Democrat.

With Republicans now controlling the Legislature and governor's office, a concealed weapons bill is expected to easily pass this session.

Rep. Jeff Mursau (R-Crivitz) and Sen. Pam Galloway (R-Wausau) released two bills Wednesday they wrote together, both of which go much further than past versions of legislation that has gotten traction in the Legislature.

Galloway said she did not believe any training mandate was needed for people to carry concealed guns.

"People who carry concealed as private citizens are responsible people," she said.

Galloway's contention that no training would be needed for concealed carry contrasts with regulations in place for hunters.

State regulations specify that hunters born after Jan. 1, 1973, must complete a hunter safety course. There are some exceptions - for example, if hunters have completed basic training in the military, or they are shooting certain species such as squirrels and rabbits without a license on their own property.

George Meyer, executive director of the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation, would not comment on the bill but said his organization has consistently supported concealed carry over the years. He did add that hunter safety courses - combined with the requirement to wear blaze orange in the woods - had "substantially reduced hunting accidents."

The basic hunter education class includes 10 lessons with a minimum of 10 hours of training, including accident prevention.

Galloway said the cost of the classes would be an unnecessary burden to some people and would make it more difficult to get a concealed carry permit, if a permit ended up being required.

Critics, meanwhile, pounced on the bills, saying at minimum the bill should ban guns from more places, such as domestic abuse shelters.

"It's ironic that legislators would exclude guns from their workplace, the state Capitol, but not think about the safety risks inherent at locations where some of the our most vulnerable community members seek safety and help," said a statement from Patti Seger, executive director of the Wisconsin Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

Rep. Donna Seidel (D-Wausau) said no one should be able to carry concealed weapons without training or having to qualify for permits.

"I have strong concerns and objections to a lack of a permitting process," she said.

Seidel said she thought Republicans were rushing the legislation because they want to pass it before a wave of likely recall elections. Nine senators are being targeted, six Republicans and three Democrats.

Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald (R-Juneau) said the potential recalls were not a factor in the timing of the bill.

He said he did not know when the Senate would take up the bill. Galloway said she was hoping for a vote in June.

Hearings planned

Two hearings are planned on the bills on May 12 - one in Wausau and one in Madison. Both bills would be considered at both hearings.

Fitzgerald and Galloway said the hearings would help lawmakers determine which bill to pass and which to set aside. Fitzgerald said some members of his caucus may require some form of training in the bill to pass it.

The major difference between the bills is in permitting. One bill would allow people to carry weapons without getting a permit or other approval from the state. The other bill would require people to get permits but grant them to almost anyone.

Under both bills, guns and other weapons would be banned from police stations and other law enforcement offices; jails and prisons; courthouses; school grounds; airports beyond security checkpoints; and any government building that has electronic weapons screening and a place for people to store their weapons.

The bill requiring permits would allow those 21 and over to carry weapons after going through a background check. The state Department of Justice would have to issue the permits to anyone who was not barred from carrying weapons, such as felons.

The permits would be good for five years and cost up to $65. Renewals would cost up to $40.

The bill on permits would allow businesses to prohibit people from carrying guns in their facilities. Local governments also could bar guns in their buildings.

The bill that does not require permits also would lift a current requirement that guns in vehicles must be encased and unloaded.

Lee Bergquist and Tom Tolan of the Journal Sentinel staff contributed to this report from Milwaukee.