Campus carry legislation proposed in Wisconsin

Kremer said the exemption allows schools to prevent campus carry by making the practice too burdensome.

Walker said Tuesday he doesn’t care whether the requirement is in or out, as long as the larger goals are achieved.

“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”.

At nearby UW-Madison, though, administrators, police and more than a dozen students, faculty and staff interviewed by the State Journal on campus opposed the proposal.

Two Republican state legislators have introduced a bill that would allow concealed carry gun owners to bring weapons into public university and college buildings in Wisconsin.

The bill from Republicans Rep. Jesse Kremer and Sen.

Lovicott said the Madison campus would not be safer.

“We’re basically treating our college students as lesser citizens”, Kremer said.

Walker says he expects the Assembly to vote on the bill this fall and the Senate next year.

Under current law, concealed weapons can be carried in university common areas by individuals with the proper license. While exceptions exist for law enforcement purposes or if a permit holder receives written approval from college officials, Kremer contends this is not enough to deter crime and allow for self-defense.

A University of Wisconsin System spokesman did not immediately return calls seeking comment Tuesday.

When pressed by reporters on the issue, and asked if the measure would make campuses safer, Walker remained non-committal. “Certainly we’ll look at the legislation”, Walker said, but noted that “to me, the real threat are not law-abiding citizens…it’s people who are possessing firearms illegally and people who have fallen through the cracks when it comes to social services”.