As the recall primary election approaches, poll workers are learning about concealed carry rules. Local officials are allowed to ban hidden weapons at Wisconsin polling places. Jeri Bonavia, executive director at Wisconsin Anti-Violence Effort (WAVE), supports such a ban. “The last thing we want in our state is to go back to a time of bullets, not ballots … we really want to make sure that everyone feels like they can make their voice heard without any kind of intimidation.”
Government Accountability Board attorney Mike Haas says the fairly new concealed carry law allows communities to ban concealed firearms at the polls – regardless of whether they’re located in government buildings or privately-owned facilities. But, he says, signs must be posted at every entrance.
Bonavia’s group is dedicated to reducing gun violence, injuries and deaths. She says, with emotions running so high in the state, now is no time to bring guns to the voting booths. “It’s just not wise to have firearms in polling places.”
Local clerks had been questioning the concealed carry law, so Haas prepared a memo for the GAB. The Board will take up the matter when it meets today (Tuesday). The recall general election is June 5.
