The UW-Madison Police Department released a statement Tuesday afternoon in opposition to a legislative proposal that would allow the concealed carry of guns in public university and college buildings.
Concealed carry permit holders would be able to have their weapons with them on public college and university campuses in Wisconsin, under a bill being proposed by Republican lawmakers. A spokesman tells FOX6 News, they believe the campus and surrounding neighborhood are actually safer than they have ever been before.
The legislation, co-sponsored by Republican state Rep. Jesse Kremer (R-Kewaskum) and Rep. Devin LeMahieu (R-Ootsburg) would lift restrictions on those locations.
Winkler said research shows that it doesn’t appear that having guns on campus will lead to any significant reduction in mass shootings because of age restrictions to get a hide carry license.
The agency went on to add its concern that “allowing concealed weapons inside a building like Camp Randall Stadium, filled with 80,000 people, creates a major security issue”.
Mike Sportiello, student body president at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, also urged lawmakers to reject the bill.
Efforts to legalize concealed weapons in public university buildings across the country – including in Wisconsin – may be more about recruiting youth in a culture war on gun laws than actual public safety, says one law professor.
“There is no success of [this type of legislation] making college campuses safer”, Wagner said. “Students attending our taxpayer-funded colleges and universities should not be denied their Second Amendment right to carry a weapon for self-defense”.
Kremer explained his disagreement with the current state law that allows universities to ban concealed weapons in their buildings comes from a concern for safety.
But Walker did send signals Tuesday that he supports the measure.
“I think the bottom line is the greatest fear I have about firearms are people who are not legal to have them in the first place”.
“I think the people that are directly impacted should be asked about this”, said Gow.
Reply