MADISON – In the wake of a deadly school shooting in Nashville that killed three 9-year-olds and three adults, two Republican lawmakers are proposing to permit Wisconsin school officials to decide whether to allow employees who are licensed gun owners to carry firearms on school grounds — a measure Democratic Gov. Tony Evers has already pledged to veto.
Rep. Scott Allen of Waukesha and Sen. Cory Tomczyk of Mosinee on Monday released a bill that would create an exception to the state's law banning firearms on school grounds if the person holds a concealed carry license, is employed by the school, and the school board has adopted a policy that allows employees who are licensees to possess a firearm.
The proposal also waives for teachers the fees associated with obtaining a concealed carry license.
"School shootings are tragedies we hate to see. The reality is that schools are often soft targets for those looking to do harm. The knowledge that no one on the premise has the firepower to stop them emboldens bad actors," Allen and Tomczyk wrote in a co-sponsorship memo to colleagues seeking support.
"Parents are rightly asking for action to ensure the safety of their students."
In response, Evers said he would veto any legislation that weakens the state's gun-free schools law.
State and federal laws bar firearms in schools, but the federal Gun-Free Zones Act does not apply to individuals licensed by states to carry a handgun. The lawmakers are seeking to extend that exception...
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