With gun violence on the rise across the nation, Republican lawmakers in Wisconsin believe having more guns is the solution. So they passed a series of bills to expand gun laws in the state, including legislation to allow high school students and parents to have firearms on school property, local CBS affiliate WDJT 58 reports.
According to the station, “Republicans passed a proposal that would lower the concealed carry age from 21 to 18, allow legal gun owners to have their weapon on school property, and allow anyone with a concealed carry license from any state to be armed in Wisconsin.”
State Rep. Shae Sortwell (R-Two Rivers), the author of the bill to lower the concealed carry age, contends if 18-year-olds can vote, they should be allowed to arm themselves.
“They are mature enough, they are adult enough to make these decisions and yet we are going to deny them the basic human right of self-defense?” Sortwell said. He admitted his bill would lead to more guns on school property, but argued it’s a “common sense” measure.
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Democrats argue the measure would backfire and result in inexperienced gun owners, the station reported.
“Guns in these situations do not make people feel safer,” said Democratic Rep. Lisa Subeck. “In this state, you can get a concealed carry permit and never once get any hands-on firing a gun and that’s terrifying,” she added.
The report also cited State Rep. Deb Andraca (D) saying the GOP bill “makes absolutely no sense, and quite frankly is scary to every parent with children.”
