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http://www.kenoshanews.com/news/salem_chairwoman_seeks_ban_on_open_carrying_of_guns_4944896.html
Salem chairwoman seeks ban on open carrying of guns
Valentine wants parks included in ordinanceBY DENEEN SMITH
dsmith@kenoshanews.com
SALEM — A town leader hopes to bar the open carrying of firearms on all town property, including parks.
Chairwoman Linda Valentine told the Town Board she is concerned about the issue, and suggested creating an ordinance that would prohibit carrying guns on town property.
Valentine said she began considering the issue when a recent advisory memorandum from Wisconsin’s attorney general stressed that the open carrying of firearms is legal in the state. She said she heard concerns from workers at the Community Library District about the legality of people bringing weapons to the library.
While Valentine said she learned that state law does prohibit carrying guns in public buildings like libraries or town halls, it does not prohibit bringing weapons to publicly-owned places like parks.
She also was concerned about the legal status of the town’s fire stations. In Salem, the three fire stations are owned by not-for-profit groups although the department is operated by the town.
“I don’t think people should be able to walk in with weapons at their side, especially when one of the (locations) is a polling place,” Valentine said. “I want to do everything the town can do to make sure that people do not feel intimidated in any way.”
She said she would like to see the town pass an ordinance banning the carrying of firearms on all town property.
Town Attorney Rich Scholze told Valentine that it may be difficult.
“The ability of the town to regulate firearms is limited,” Scholze said.
Under a state law, Scholze said, municipalities are barred from creating gun regulations that are more restrictive than state law.
“I need to do research on how (state law) impacts park land,” Scholze said. “Beyond that I think our hands are tied.”
Last month Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen issued an advisory memorandum stating that the open carrying of firearms is legal in Wisconsin, and that openly carrying a firearm is not in itself enough to justify a disorderly conduct charge.
Van Hollen’s memorandum states that the law allows carrying unconcealed weapons, including handguns, although he said “if, however, a person brandishes a handgun in public, the conduct many lose its constitutional protection.”
The state allows open carrying of weapons, with just a few restrictions. Weapons are banned in public buildings, within 1,000 feet of schools, in places where liquor is sold, and in vehicles.
Valentine asked that Scholze research the issue and bring a recommendation to the Town Board at its next regular meeting.
Also in the Kenosha News - the sheriff talks about how open carry is illegal in city parks - a clear violation of the preemption law.
http://www.kenoshanews.com/news/salem_chairwoman_seeks_ban_on_open_carrying_of_guns_4944896.html
Salem chairwoman seeks ban on open carrying of guns
Valentine wants parks included in ordinanceBY DENEEN SMITH
dsmith@kenoshanews.com
SALEM — A town leader hopes to bar the open carrying of firearms on all town property, including parks.
Chairwoman Linda Valentine told the Town Board she is concerned about the issue, and suggested creating an ordinance that would prohibit carrying guns on town property.
Valentine said she began considering the issue when a recent advisory memorandum from Wisconsin’s attorney general stressed that the open carrying of firearms is legal in the state. She said she heard concerns from workers at the Community Library District about the legality of people bringing weapons to the library.
While Valentine said she learned that state law does prohibit carrying guns in public buildings like libraries or town halls, it does not prohibit bringing weapons to publicly-owned places like parks.
She also was concerned about the legal status of the town’s fire stations. In Salem, the three fire stations are owned by not-for-profit groups although the department is operated by the town.
“I don’t think people should be able to walk in with weapons at their side, especially when one of the (locations) is a polling place,” Valentine said. “I want to do everything the town can do to make sure that people do not feel intimidated in any way.”
She said she would like to see the town pass an ordinance banning the carrying of firearms on all town property.
Town Attorney Rich Scholze told Valentine that it may be difficult.
“The ability of the town to regulate firearms is limited,” Scholze said.
Under a state law, Scholze said, municipalities are barred from creating gun regulations that are more restrictive than state law.
“I need to do research on how (state law) impacts park land,” Scholze said. “Beyond that I think our hands are tied.”
Last month Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen issued an advisory memorandum stating that the open carrying of firearms is legal in Wisconsin, and that openly carrying a firearm is not in itself enough to justify a disorderly conduct charge.
Van Hollen’s memorandum states that the law allows carrying unconcealed weapons, including handguns, although he said “if, however, a person brandishes a handgun in public, the conduct many lose its constitutional protection.”
The state allows open carrying of weapons, with just a few restrictions. Weapons are banned in public buildings, within 1,000 feet of schools, in places where liquor is sold, and in vehicles.
Valentine asked that Scholze research the issue and bring a recommendation to the Town Board at its next regular meeting.
Also in the Kenosha News - the sheriff talks about how open carry is illegal in city parks - a clear violation of the preemption law.