Bill would allow concealed carry on public college campuses

“You are less likely to become a victim of a violent crime at UW-Madison – which now does not allow concealed weapons in buildings – than you are in the state of Wisconsin as a whole”, Marc Lovicott, UWPD spokesperson, wrote.

Two Republicans introduced legislation that would allow concealed weapons in Wisconsin’s public universities and colleges.

Under the current concealed carry law, Wisconsin colleges and universities can decide on whether or not to allow weapons inside campus buildings.

UW-La Crosse senior Jacob Pusateri says recent shootings on college campuses around the country hasn’t effected students at UW-La Crosse.

“We need to base our decision on how to best create a safe society on evidence and peer-reviewed research before we choose to flood our classrooms, workout facilities, and residence halls where we eat and sleep, with weapons”, Sportiello said in the letter. “That eliminates virtually half or more of the undergraduates at any given time at the university who just wouldn’t be allowed to carry a gun no matter what”, Winkler said.

Others on campus say bringing more guns on campus doesn’t help.

Kremer and LeMahieu said in a memo seeking co-sponsors that the bill would make campuses safer.

“Certainly we’ll look at that legislation”, said Walker, at a tour of the William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital on Tuesday.

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.

Gov. Scott Walker sent signals Tuesday he supports the measure, saying the real threat is not people with permits to legally carry concealed weapons. A pair of Wisconsin lawmakers thinks so – and their new bill is already drawing strong criticism and support.

UW System President Ray Cross with UW System chancellors also released a joint statement stating they have significant concerns and questions with this proposal and can not now support it.