GOP-proposed bill would allow school officials to carry guns; Evers vows veto

MADISON, Wis. (Civic Media) – A bill proposed by Republicans in the Wisconsin Legislature would allow schools to craft policies to allow school officials to carry guns in schools.

Rep. Scott Allen and Sen. Cory Tomczyk announced the proposed bill Monday.

In a release, Rep. Allen said that the bill would allow school boards to voluntarily create concealed carry policy in an effort to protect their students. He said that the origin of the bill was with the Germantown School Board, which he said wrote “the ‘gun free school zone’ signs do nothing but notify a criminal that there will be few, if any, people in the building that can defend themselves.”

Rep. Allen said that the board asked for state statute to be amended to allow firearms on school grounds if they’re in possession of a concealed carry license.

“The sad reality is that school shootings have happened,” Allen said. “Schools provide soft targets for those looking to do harm, and this bill gives school boards the option to change that.”

In addition to allowing guns on school grounds, the bill would waive concealed carry license fees for teachers.

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers said on Twitter Monday that if the bill made it to his desk, that he would veto it.

“I already vetoed Republicans’ bill to allow loaded guns on school grounds because increasing firearms on school grounds won’t make our schools or our kids safer,” Evers said. “So, let me be clear: I’ll veto any bill that weakens Wisconsin’s gun-free school zone law. Period.”

I already vetoed Republicans’ bill to allow loaded guns on school grounds because increasing firearms on school grounds won’t make our schools or our kids safer.

So, let me be clear: I’ll veto any bill that weakens Wisconsin’s gun-free school zone law. Period.

— Governor Tony Evers (@GovEvers) April 10, 2023

Wisconsin is among just over a dozen states that do not allow teachers to carry firearms.

A package of three gun reform bills authored and passed by Republican legislators was vetoed by Evers in 2022.