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Wisconsin only joined the states that allow concealed-carry in November but, already, many fear the state is finding ways to chisel away at the will of the people by allowing local governments to have more discretion in determining where and when law-abiding citizens can exercise their constitutional rights.
On May 14, the state’s Government Accountability Board, ruled that local governments can ban concealed weapons at all manner of polling sites, from city halls to assisted living facilities, state election officials have concluded.
Since Wisconsin’s concealed carry law went into effect in November, the state has held three elections without any concealed carry-related problems at the polls, although the AP reports that a man sporting a “Scott Walker for President” T-shirt and a gun in a tie-down leg holster caused a stir when he showed up to vote on April 3 in one village.
According to GAB attorney Mike Haas, elections qualify as special events under the law, which allows special event organizers — in this case, local election officials — to ban weapons as long as they post signs at every entrance stating as much.
“Wisconsin’s concealed carry law … permits municipalities to prohibit concealed firearms at polling places during elections, whether or not the polling place is located on municipal property,” Haas wrote.
Valid reasoning or just a ploy?
For more, go to:
— Attorney: Wisconsin can ban weapons at polls
— City might have to change policy to keep weapons out of ballot booths