Speaker Vos has said he wants to wrap up the current legislative session in February. It would allow those with concealed carry permits to bring guns on to school grounds, while each district would be able to set its own policy on allowing weapons inside school buildings.
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MADISON, Wis. (AP) – A bill proposed by a Republican leader in the Wisconsin Legislature would allow residents with concealed weapons permits to carry guns on school grounds.
The bill’s sponsor says for those who have a permit, the change in law could prevent major charges if they ever wind up in court. “Simultaneously, it grants each school district the authority to establish policy about concealed carry within school buildings”, said Senator Lazich. He was eventually sentenced to a year on probation.
“I’ve been a superintendent since 1982 and it’s the only person that has ever asked me”, says Stan Mack the Oshkosh Area School District Superintendent.
“For anybody dropping off kids at school, if you drive one foot on school property – if you’re armed and carrying – that’s a felony”.
“There are other things they should be doing first-like locking their doors”, said Peter Pochowski, executive director of Wisconsin School Safety Coordinators Association. Mary Lazich, R-New Berlin, said. “It’s not fair to permit holders”.
Swearingen says northern Wisconsin and rural counties around the state have seen a population loss as younger generations move to larger cities.
Similar to the situation of allowing open-carry weapons in Texas zoos, Jeri Bonavia from the Wisconsin Anti-Violence Effort questioned the political reasons behind the bill: Is it from genuine concern that concealed weapon-carrying parents are violating the law, or is this an unnecessary fight for the gun lobby? She said officials for her district don’t think guns belong “in or near our schools or any schools for that matter”.
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Kremer introduced a bill earlier this session that would have allowed people to carry concealed weapons into college buildings and stadiums but Vos has said that measure isn’t going to get a vote either.
