MADISON, Wis. -- A concealed carry gun law is once again before the legislature.

It would allow law-abiding, permit-holding citizens to carry guns in most public places. According to News 3's Colin Benedict, it's a debate that has quickly stirred up emotions.

Forty-six other states already have some form of concealed carry, but Benedict reported the fight in Wisconsin will again be intense. Two press conferences one hour after the other brought ordinary citizens into the line of fire. A Redgranite concealed carry instructor and a Madison mother of three boys have different views of the future.

"To put it bluntly and in grunt speak, when the goblin finds out that grandma could be carrying a Dirty Harry, they tend to leave her alone," said Bill Schmitz, a concealed carry training course instructor.

Maya Cole, a Madison mother of three who opposes the bill, sees it from a different perspective. "If I'm attacked, I'm supposed to decide which twin's hand I drop so that I can reach in my purse and dig through my calendar, my calculator, my wallet, find my armed weapon and shoot a person," said Cole.

Two republican lawmakers want to allow the law-abiding to get a permit to carry a weapon. The bill sponsor, Rep. Scott Gunderson, says the evidence is clear -- in other states it prevents crime.

"The evidence illustrates that when crime becomes more difficult, less crime is committed," said Gunderson, of Village of Waterford

"These claims of course are false, and the citizens of Wisconsin and of this country know it," said Jeri Bonavia, executive director of the Wisconsin Anti-Violence Effort.

The bill is similar to one from last session. There are some modifications from last session. Instead of cash-strapped sheriffs handing out permits, the bill requires the State Department of Justice to run background checks and hand out permits. About 100,000 people are expected to apply if it becomes law.

Gov. Jim Doyle says concealed carry will never make it through as long as he's governor.

"I vetoed it before," said Doyle. "I'm sort of amazed at how often the legislature wastes all the taxpayer money just passing bills that they know are not going to become law."

Lawmakers were close to overriding Gov. Doyle's veto of the concealed carry bill last session. Many Wisconsin's sheriff's and police chiefs have serious concern over concealed carry, including Rock County Sheriff Eric Runaas.

"I'm not anti-gun. I own guns. I believe in guns. The Second Amendment – I have no problem with that," said Runaas. "I have no problem with people having guns on their properties, guns in their stores like the constitution allows us to, but carrying concealed, that opens a new can of worms."

The Rock County sheriff tells News 3 he thinks there should be a statewide referendum on the issue.