No Guns in Muskego Schools, But No Signage Will Advertise That, Either

After the Concealed Carry legislation (Act 35) was passed in June, and made effective on Nov. 1, schools and school grounds were exempted from the law.

However, Dr. Kelly Thompson, assistant superintendent for the Muskego-Norway School District (MNSD) reported to the board Monday night that a superintendent's meeting held last week recommended no signage be posted at schools prohibiting weapons.

Thompson explained that a Wisconsin "statute states that an employer is immune from liability if an injury occurs and there is no notice posted that prohibits a person from carrying a concealed weapon."  In other words, the likelihood of a school to be sued if injury from a concealed weapon occurs on school grounds or within the school increases if there is a sign posted prohibiting concealed weapons.

It seemed a bit contrary to what most people would think, but an article on the  State Bar of Wisconsin's website clarifies the matter a little.

Apparently if an employer prohibits employees from carrying concealed weapons at work, using the proper signage, and someone enters the workplace and injures them, it could be argued that the posted "prohibition on weapons in the workplace took away the employee’s right to legal self-protection."

In a hypothetical situation, the article presents the problem: "An employee has a license to carry a concealed weapon, but a business prohibits the employee from bringing his or her handgun to work and posts proper signs to that effect. A disgruntled former employee walks in and starts shooting. Under the new concealed carry law, the business is not immune from liability."

The bottom line is that no concealed weapons are allowed on school grounds under Act 35, and no possession of a weapon is allowed within 1,000 feet of school grounds.  However, do not expect a sign to remind you of that.