For the first time, a Milwaukee Common Council committee Monday took a step back from opposing legislation that would allow concealed carrying of handguns.

Instead, the council's Judiciary & Legislation Committee directed city lobbyists to push for changes sought by Police Chief Edward Flynn, who urged support for "a concealed-carry law with some teeth in it," in recognition that some form of the legislation is certain to be enacted by Republicans who control both the Legislature and the governor's office.

Those "teeth," as described by Flynn, would carry the bite of felony charges against anyone who carries a concealed weapon without a permit or who buys a gun for someone who isn't legally allowed to own one. Both crimes are misdemeanors now. Flynn also called for prohibiting felons from carrying ammunition, not just guns, and barring convicted drunken drivers from obtaining concealed-carry permits.

None of those concepts is included in either of the two versions of the concealed-carry legislation now under consideration in Madison.

One version would allow gun owners to apply for a five-year, $65 concealed-carry permit if they are 21 or older and haven't been convicted of a felony or ruled mentally incompetent. The other, known as " constitutional carry," would let anyone who is legally allowed to own a gun carry it just about anywhere without a permit, with a few exceptions such as courthouses, police stations and schools. Neither would require any firearms training and both would repeal the current law against carrying weapons within 1,000 feet of school property.

Republican lawmakers and Gov. Scott Walker have made it clear they intend to legalize concealed carry, which is allowed in every state except Illinois and Wisconsin. Former Gov. Jim Doyle, a Democrat, vetoed previous concealed-carry bills.

But the GOP leadership has not closed ranks behind a single version of the concealed-carry legislation.

Several lawmakers have said it's likely a training requirement would be added before the legislation comes to a final vote.

Most of Milwaukee's elected officials have typically opposed any form of concealed carry, and the judiciary panel voted to oppose the constitutional-carry approach.

'Every bad idea'

Ald. Ashanti Hamilton, the committee chairman, said it appeared that Republican legislators "just completely threw every bad idea they could find" into the constitutional-carry bill.

"I think most of us recognize the constitutional-carry law is a stalking horse so anything would look good compared to it," Flynn said.

Flynn urged the committee to endorse the concealed-carry permit bill if it was changed as he recommended. He said it was time to break out of the "stale and sterile" pattern of pro- and anti-gun positions and focus on legislation that would be more likely to deter criminals from carrying guns illegally.

This is a position that Flynn and Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm have advocated for more than a year. Sheriff David Clarke has said he backs concealed carry if training is required and supports felony penalties for carrying guns illegally and for acting as a "straw buyer" of guns.

Ald. Nik Kovac said the city should phrase its stand as opposing the bill unless the changes were adopted.

Paul Vornholt, the city's chief lobbyist, said remaining officially neutral would give the city more leverage in negotiating the changes Flynn sought. The panel followed Vornholt's advice. The full council is to consider the matter May 24.

"This is a common-sense approach," Ald. Bob Donovan said of Flynn's proposed changes. "We go from one extreme to another" in state government "without the common-sense middle ground being considered."

Barrett, Coggs opposed

Mayor Tom Barrett and Ald. Milele Coggs said they understood the committee's stand but remained opposed to concealed carry.

If concealed carry is to become law, Barrett said local officials should have discretion over issuing permits and penalties should be boosted for straw buyers and those who carry illegal guns. The concealed-carry permit bill calls for the state to issue permits to anyone who qualifies.