Wis. Senate OKs Off-Duty Officers With Guns in Schools

The Wisconsin Senate has approved a proposal that would allow off-duty and retired officers to carry guns in schools.

The Senate passed the bill on Tuesday on a bipartisan 22-10 vote.

The Assembly also plans to take up the bill Tuesday.

Bill author Sen. Van Wanggaard, a Racine Republican, gave police chiefs seated in the gallery a thumbs up when it passed.

Current state law generally bans people from possessing guns on school grounds as well as within 1,000 feet of school grounds.

The prohibition doesn’t apply to police officers acting in their official capacity.

Approval from both chambers would set up the bill for Gov. Scott Walker’s consideration.

A broader proposal last session that allowed anyone to carry concealed weapons on school grounds failed to pass.