Senate Bill 429 aims to enhance firearm regulations on college and university campuses in Wisconsin. The bill repeals the existing provision that allows individuals to be charged with trespassing for carrying a firearm into a posted building on campus and introduces a new prohibition against possessing a firearm in any publicly or privately owned building on university or college grounds. Violators of this prohibition would be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor. However, exceptions are made for law enforcement officers, military personnel in the line of duty, individuals leasing non-dormitory residential or business space, participants in approved programs, and those possessing unloaded and encased firearms.

Additionally, the bill amends several sections of current law to incorporate the new prohibition and clarify the circumstances under which firearms may be carried. Notably, it creates a new statute, 941.236, specifically addressing firearm possession on college campuses, and modifies existing statutes to align with this new regulation. The bill also removes certain legal language related to firearm possession in state-owned buildings, thereby reinforcing the new restrictions on college campuses. Overall, the legislation seeks to create a safer environment on educational grounds by limiting firearm access.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 175.60(2g)(a), 175.60, 175.60(5)(a)6, 938.34(14q), 938.34, 938.78(3), 938.78, 939.632(1)(e)3, 939.632, 941.235(1), 941.235, 943.13(1m)(c)4, 943.13, 943.13(1m)(c)5, 943.13(2)(bm)2.am, 968.255(1)(a)2, 968.255, 973.137(1), 973.137