SB 754 — Relating to: possession of a firearm by a licensee in a place of worship located on the grounds of a private school.

Bill Text

• Bill Text View text Current pdf

Compared against current U.S. Code AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill permits licensees to carry firearms in places of worship located on private school grounds under certain conditions.

• 948.605 (1) (b)

  “School” means a public school, parochial or private school, or tribal school, as defined in s. 115.001 (15m), which provides an educational program for one or more grades between grades 1 and 12 and which is commonly known as an elementary school, middle school, junior high school, senior high school, or high school. → “School" has the meaning given in s. 948.61 (1) (b) a public school, private school, or tribal school, as defined in s. 115.001 (15m), that provides an educational program for one or more grades between grades 1 and 12 and that is commonly known as an elementary school, middle school, junior high school, senior high school, or high school.

  This change clarifies the definition of 'school' in relation to the firearms law.

• 948.605 (2) (a)

  Any individual who knowingly possesses a firearm at a place that the individual knows, or has reasonable cause to believe, is in or on the grounds of a school is guilty of a Class I felony. Any individual who knowingly possesses a firearm at a place that the individual knows, or has reasonable cause to believe, is within 1,000 feet of the grounds of a school is subject to a Class B forfeiture. → Any individual who knowingly possesses a firearm at a place that the individual knows, or has reasonable cause to believe, is in or on the grounds of a school is guilty of a Class I felony. Any individual, except a licensee, who knowingly possesses a firearm at a place that the individual knows, or has reasonable cause to believe, is within 1,000 feet of the grounds of a school is subject to a Class B forfeiture.

  This change specifies that licensees are exempt from the prohibition while on school grounds.

• 948.605 (2) (b) 1r.

  A person who is in a place of worship located on the grounds of a private school, except if the person is in or on the grounds of a school. → A licensee who is in a place of worship located on the grounds of a private school for the purpose of attending a worship service or religious ceremony or to work or volunteer at the place of worship, if the governing body of the place of worship has a written policy allowing licensees to possess a firearm and the licensee is complying with all terms of the policy and any of the following applies: a. No classes are being held at the private school at the time of the possession. b. If classes are being held at the time of possession, the governing body has determined that there is a special event at the place of worship.

  This change explicitly allows licensees to carry firearms in places of worship on private school grounds under specified conditions.

• 175.60 (2g) (a)

  A licensee or an out-of-state licensee may carry a concealed weapon anywhere in this state except as provided under subs. (15m) and (16) and ss. 943.13 (1m) (c) and 948.605 (2) (a)(b) 1r. → A licensee or an out-of-state licensee may carry a concealed weapon anywhere in this state except as provided under subs. (15m) and (16) and ss. 943.13 (1m) (c) and 948.605 (2) (a) and (b) 1r.

  This change updates the restrictions on carrying a concealed weapon to reflect new exceptions related to places of worship.

Action History

1. April 15, 2024

   Failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1

2. January 31, 2024

   Available for scheduling

3. January 31, 2024

   Report passage recommended by Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety, Ayes 5, Noes 2

4. January 31, 2024

   Executive action taken

5. January 11, 2024

   Public hearing held

6. December 08, 2023

   Read first time and referred to Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety

7. December 08, 2023

   Introduced by Senators James, Felzkowski, Nass and Tomczyk; cosponsored by Representatives Pronschinske, Allen, Armstrong, Behnke, Bodden, Brandtjen, Callahan, Dittrich, Edming, Goeben, Gundrum, Gustafson, Magnafici, Maxey, Murphy, Mursau, O'Connor, Penterman, Rettinger, Schmidt, Sortwell, Summerfield, VanderMeer and Wichgers

Sponsors

• Jesse James · Primary
• Mary Felzkowski · Primary
• Steve Nass · Primary
• Cory Tomczyk · Primary

Votes

Subjects