Q: What weapons or types of weapons may a person carry?
A: An appropriately licensed individual is permitted to carry a gun, electric weapon (e.g., taser), or a billyclub.
Q: Does the concealed carry law apply to UW institutions?
A: Yes. The law does not exempt any higher education institutions. The UW specifically requested that the legislature exempt colleges and universities from the law, but the legislature declined to insert the requested provision. The law does, however, contain special provisions allowing colleges and universities to take action to prevent people from carrying firearms in campus buildings.
Q: May UW institutions take any action to prevent people from carrying weapons on campus?
A: Yes, to some extent. UW institutions may bar individuals from carrying firearms in campus buildings by placing signage at each entrance of campus buildings, including residence halls and athletic facilities, and inserting contractual provisions to leases or residence hall contracts. To prohibit firearms within a campus building, the institution must place a sign (at least 5 inches by 7 inches) in a prominent place near all of the entrances to the part of the building to which the restriction applies and any individual entering the building can be reasonably expected to see the sign. An appropriate sign should contain the following language such as: “Firearms Prohibited in Building.”
Q: May UW institutions prohibit the concealed carry of weapons in the residence halls?
A: Yes, if the UW institutions take affirmative steps to eliminate, or limit, concealed carry in the residence halls with appropriate signage and contractual provisions.
Q: May UW institutions prohibit the concealed carry of weapons in campus buildings?
A: Yes, if the UW institutions take affirmative steps to eliminate, or limit, concealed carry in campus buildings with appropriate signage.
Q: Does the law permit concealed carry of weapons in campus parking facilities?
A: Yes, provided the weapon remains in the vehicle. The provision that allows campuses to bar firearms from buildings does not apply to firearms in vehicles that are driven on campus or into parking facilities on campus, therefore, the concealed carry law effectively permits students, employees, or others to carry firearms or other weapons in their vehicle.
Q: May the University prohibit concealed carry of weapons at special events (e.g., athletic contests, concerts, etc.) on campus?
A: Yes, provided the University takes the appropriate affirmative steps of notifying people not to enter or remain at the special event while carrying a firearm or with a particular type of firearm. The law provides that organizers of the special event must place appropriate and prominent signage near all of the entrances to the special event. The law defines “special event” as an event that is open to the public, is for a duration of not more than 3 weeks, and either has designated entrances to and from the event that are locked when the event is closed or requires an admission.
Q: Does the law permit campus employees to carry a concealed weapon at work?
A: Yes, however, institutions may prohibit employees who are licensed to carry a concealed weapon from carrying a concealed weapon in the course of employment or during any part of the course of employment. The campuses may not, however, prohibit employees who are licensed to carry a concealed weapon, as a condition of employment, from carrying a concealed weapon, or ammunition, or from storing a weapon, or ammunition in the employee's own motor vehicle, regardless of whether the motor vehicle is used in the course of employment or whether the motor vehicle is driven or parked on property used by the employer.
Q: Some campuses are located near elementary, middle, or high schools. Does the law change the rules regarding gun-free school zones?
A: Previously, any individual who knowingly possessed a firearm on school grounds or within 1,000 feet of the grounds of a school was guilty of a Class I felony. The law retains this rule, except that possessing a firearm within 1,000 feet of school grounds is now subject to a Class B forfeiture, and licensed individuals may carry a concealed firearm within 1000 feet of school grounds but not on school grounds. Although certain campus buildings may fall within a school zone, campuses should adopt a uniform signage protocol regardless of the applicability of the gun-free school zone rules so that campus expectations are clearly communicated.
Q: Should instructors notify students by syllabus, course website, or some other means that weapons are not permitted in class?
A: While instructors may wish to notify students that firearms are not permitted in class if the class is held in a building in which signage is posted at the entrances, notice from an instructor does not relieve the campuses of the responsibility to post signage at each entrance of the building stating that people are not to enter or remain in the building while engaging in the concealed carry of any firearm.
Q: What should I do if a person enters an area where a concealed weapon is prohibited?
A: You should contact the local campus police department or local law enforcement and report the incident. Be prepared to provide the police or dispatcher with a description of the person, the type of concealed weapon, and the area where the person was last seen. No matter what, do not place yourself or others in danger or harm's way.
On July 8, 2011, Governor Walker signed 2011 Wisconsin Act 35 into law. Effective November 1, 2011, it became legal for licensed individuals to be armed with a concealed weapon. Under the law, an individual does not violate the prohibition against disorderly conduct, or does not violate any local ordinance prohibiting disorderly conduct, by carrying particular weapons. A licensed individual may lawfully carry particular weapons in a concealed manner as long as there is no indication of a criminal or malicious intent. The law does not, however, permit people to go armed with a weapon in certain public buildings such as police stations or sheriff’s offices, prisons or jails, courthouses, and schools. There is no parallel exception for college or university buildings.
The Wisconsin Administrative Code UWS 18.10(3) prohibits a person from carrying, possessing, or using any dangerous weapon on university lands or in university buildings or facilities, unless it is for law enforcement purposes or the person receives written approval of the chief administrative officer. Chapter 18 permits police to confiscate and remove dangerous weapons from university lands. To the extent Chapter 18 is consistent with Wisconsin Act 35, the University of Wisconsin System will continue to follow and enforce Chapter 18.