Guns Allowed On School Grounds, Concealed Carry Age Lowered Under WI Bills

WISCONSIN — A package of Republican-authored bills to lower the concealed carry age from 21 to 18 in Wisconsin and allow permit holders to have guns in their cars on school grounds passed the Wisconsin State Assembly on Thursday.

The bills include:

• AB 495: Allows concealed carry permit holders to have a gun in their car while on school grounds. Right now, possessing a firearm at school is a felony.
• AB 498: Lowers the minimum age requirement for a concealed carry permit from 21 to 18.
• AB 518: This bill would allow concealed carry permit holders from other states to carry a gun in Wisconsin. Currently, people from out of state can go armed in Wisconsin if they’re from a state that performs background checks on those who seek concealed carry permits.
• AB 597: A concealed carry holder could have a gun in a place of worship or on private school grounds if the institution has written rules that allow it.

While state Republicans approved of the bills’ passing, Democrats questioned the effect of the bills on safety for teenagers and schools. Rep. Deb Andraca (D-Whitefish Bay) said in a statement that she was a gun owner, but inviting guns into churches and schools would put communities at risk.

“Collectively, these bills would allow high school seniors to carry a loaded gun in a car on school grounds, at school events, and while hanging out with their friends after school,” Andraca said. “They invite guns onto our school grounds and places of worship, putting us all at risk.”

Rep. Lee Snodgrass (D-Appleton) said in a hearing that current federal law prohibits people aged 18-20 from buying guns from a licensed gun dealer, forcing young people to go to private sellers who may not conduct background checks.

Rep. Shae Sortwell (R-Two Rivers) said in a hearing that young adults shouldn’t be “denied their rights” because they aren’t yet 21. “(They’re) legal adults who can fight for our countries, sign contracts and vote and decide who the president of the United States is,” he said.

Groups like the National Rifle Association and Wisconsin Firearm Owners Inc. support the plan, while organizations like Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin and End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin oppose it, Wisconsin Public Radio reported.

The bills would have to pass both houses before ending up on Democratic Gov. Tony Evers’ desk, who may decide to sign or veto them.

Patch reached out to Rep. Sortwell, who helped introduce AB 498, and Gov. Tony Evers for comment. This story will be updated when we hear back.