RHINELANDER - If you're planning on packing heat but don't have a permit yet-- listen up. The concealed carry rules might be changing soon.

The rules so far have been temporary, so the state could get the program underway. But they expire soon, and the Justice Department will propose permanent rules.

Requirements for concealed carry like Hunters Safety classes, and military service won't change. But the new rules will affect handgun training courses.

The temporary rules didn't specify what had to be taught in those classes. But they soon will.

"Under the perminant rules that are proposed we put a training course has to be face to face with an instructor, so it can't be internet. And a number of other criteria that have to be taught. Minimum standards, basically," says Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen.

Some of the topics that will need to be covered are using deadly force, and how to avoid violent situations.

Dick Statton, from Statton's General Store in Tomahawk says these new rules won't change much for applicants. He believes any handgun class worth its price will teach those things already.

"I think people that are serious about carrying a handgun in many situations, or in most situations, those classes are a good thing for them to take. It really teaches them some things that other things cover, but not in the detail that the classes do." says Statton.

Statton and others at the store say even if you qualify for a permit with hunter's safety or military discharge papers, a handgun class is still often a good idea.

"My discharge is over 40 years old, and that's what I got a concealed carry permit based on. I think everybody should have one that's qualified, but I'm not sure a discharge paper that's 40 years old is a very good qualification to get a concealed carry permit," says Bob Anderson, also from Statton's General Store.

The DOJ will hold two public hearings on the new rules in Green Bay and Pewaukee later this month.

Story By: Lyndsey Stemm