Politics & Government

Concealed Carry: Will They or Won't They Post?

Some buildings, businesses taking a wait-and-see approach.

Wisconsin's concealed carry law will go into effect November, but that doesn't mean those citizens who choose to carry will be doing so wherever they please.

The law gives businesses the right to determine if weapons, even those appropriately concealed, will be allowed on the premises. If they are not, a sign will be clearly posted at the business's entrance.

On Thursday, the Greenfield Library Board began discussions regarding whether or not to prohibit concealed weapons in . According to Library Director Sheila O'Brien, however, the board postponed any detailed discussion.

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"After brief discussion, a motion to amend (library) policy to include specific language prohibiting weapons whether visible or concealed, was tabled pending further study and consultation with other city departments and legal opinions," O'Brien said in an email to Greenfield Patch.

According to the Library Board's chair Kathy Luty, the board already has in its disruptive behavior policy the following line: "Disruptive behavior includes: Possessing weapons or items which may be perceived as weapons, (whether legal or not). Law enforcement personnel are an exception to this policy."

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Governor Scott Walker signed the concealed carry bill July 8 after it passed through the Assembly and Senate in June.

Under the bill, concealed weapons would be allowed in most public buildings, unless there is a sign posted saying they are not permitted. Some buildings are exempt from the law, such as the city's , according to Greenfield Police Captain Paul Schlecht, though even that presents some gray area (Schlecht said the department is trying to figure out if the municipal court, when rented out for a civil function, is still exempt).

Weapons are also barred from school grounds.

The decision "to post," or not allow weapons can be a polarizing one, as Bret Eulberg, owner of Robert Haack Diamonds, found out last month. After saying to a television station his business would not allow concealed weapons, gun advocates threatened to boycott his jewelry store, .

I don't know if library cards usage will drop if Greenfield's library board decides to amend its disruptive behavior policy to include concealed carry weapons, but it will interesting to see how it, and other city buildings and businesses move forward in the coming months.


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