Representative Mary Felzkowski and Senator David Craig Release the “Right to Carry Act” - Today, Senator David Craig (R-Town of Vernon) and Representative Mary Felzkowski (R-Irma) along with 39 co-authors released the “Right to Carry Act”, which simplifies Wisconsin law and expands the rights of law-abiding citizens to carry a concealed weapon without a license.
“At its essence, this bill does two things: removes barriers to the exercise of a constitutional right and simplifies the law,” said Senator Craig. “If you decide to carry a weapon to protect yourself or your family, you should be able to do so easily - without bureaucratic hurdles and without cost.”
“We want to empower people to decide the best ways to defend themselves,” said Representative Felzkowski. “Whether it’s a taser in a purse or gun under a winter coat, we want to give more options for people to carry.”
Allowing concealed carry without a license closely mirrors the state’s current open carry laws.
“We already give people the ability to openly carry a firearm without a license. With this bill, law-abiding citizens will have the same right to carry discreetly that they currently have to carry openly,” said Senator Craig. “If you decide to throw on a coat, you should not be considered a criminal.”
The bill also clarifies and simplifies the carry of firearms in vehicles.
“In writing this bill, we found ambiguities in the law and ‘gotcha’ clauses which have tripped people up. The simplifications in this bill will help citizens more easily understand the law and avoid getting wrapped up in a court battle for something that should be lawful,” said Representative Felzkowski.
The bill will also create a basic license that will allow parents to pick-up and drop-off their children from school without having to leave their firearm at home. The bill maintains all local controls and private property rights by allowing the posting of schools, government buildings, and private property.
“Private property rights are extremely important,” said Senator Craig. “Our legislation does not diminish anyone’s ability to post their business and we uphold local elected officials’ ability to decide whether or not to post their buildings based on what is best for their community.”
The bill removes government red tape from self-protection and makes it more affordable to carry.
“Under this bill, if you are legally allowed to own a handgun, you can carry it concealed – no license, no fees, no government hoops to jump through,” said Representative Felzkowski.
“This bill expands freedoms and liberties for individuals and curtails the reach of unnecessary bureaucracy,” said Senator Craig.
Currently, 12 states passed similar laws and an additional 20 states are considering legislation this session.
“More and more people in Wisconsin and around the country, from all political stripes, are deciding to carry to protect themselves and their families. The desire around the country has been to restore 2nd Amendment rights for law-abiding citizens. It is time for Wisconsin to honor that constitutional right and give freedom back to our citizens,” said Representative Felzkowski and Senator Craig.
Republicans propose “Permitless Carry” bill - As gun lobbyists push to expand access to firearms across the country, Wisconsin Republicans announced their plan to allow dangerous individuals to carry firearms without a permit or background check. The “Permitless Carry” proposal by Wisconsin Republicans would lower the age to carry a concealed weapon and give dangerous individuals greater access to firearms. In response, Senate Democratic Leader Jennifer Shilling (D-La Crosse) released the following statement:
“Gun violence in Wisconsin is a public health crisis. I don’t hear anyone clamoring to put more painkillers on the street to combat opioid abuse, so why do Republicans think more guns in the hands of dangerous criminals will make our communities safer? Allowing anyone to carry a loaded, concealed firearm in public without any safety training or a simple background check is completely irresponsible.
“The overwhelming majority of Wisconsin residents agree that responsible individuals who want to carry a concealed weapon should go through a background check and obtain a permit. Too many men, women and children have already died as a result of gun violence. Rather than putting more guns in the hands of dangerous individuals, we should protect families and communities by closing the gun show loophole, strengthening background checks and keeping guns off school property.”
Republican-Sponsored Gun Bill Irresponsible, Dangerous for Wisconsin - Representative Melissa Sargent (D-Madison) blasted Wisconsin Republicans today for the introduction of LRB-2039. The Republican-sponsored legislation, which touts more than 40 Republican supporters, would allow carrying a concealed weapon without a permit, make it legal to carry a taser, and would make it legal to carry a firearm onto school grounds, and into mental health facilities and hospitals
“Honestly, at what point are Republicans going to ask themselves, ‘Are we really doing the best we can for our state?’” said Rep. Sargent. “Gun violence in Wisconsin isn’t a joke, it’s a public health crisis. This Republican legislation, which allows carrying a concealed weapon without a license, leaving guns unattended in cars on school grounds, or carrying a taser around in public, makes a mockery of thousands of people dying or being injured at the hands of guns in Wisconsin.
“From 2002 to 2011, more people were killed with guns in Wisconsin than all combat deaths in the Iraq War, and this is the best Republicans can come up with to address this issue? It’s not just embarrassing, it’s appalling. Our state should be doing more to protect innocent lives. This bill is irresponsible and dangerous, and quite frankly, defies logic. Our state is facing a public health crisis, and it’s time for Republicans to start taking it seriously.
“This legislation is the definition of insanity. Republicans are doing the same thing over and over, making it easier and easier for anyone to access violent weapons, and expecting different results, but the fact is, gun violence continues getting worse. The message to the people of Wisconsin is loud and clear: the Republican answer to Wisconsin’s gun violence epidemic is to making it easier for anyone to access and use a violent weapon, not harder. It speaks volumes about Republicans’ priorities and disregard for serious issues facing our state.”
View the Bill (PDF)
Last Update: Mar 28, 2017 5:32 pm CDT
