by About a month ago, I did a post on Clark County, WI Judge Jon Counsell who ruled that that Wisconsin’s ban on concealed carry was unconstitutional. At the time it was widely speculated that the State of Wisconsin would appeal that ruling.
They didn’t.
In an email that I received today from Asst. State Public Defender William Poss he said, “The good news is that the state did not appeal the ruling.” That is good news indeed for residents of Clark County, Wisconsin!
With the recent electoral victories of Republican Scott Walker as Governor and the Republican take-over of both houses of the Wisconsin State Assembly, look to see a bill authorizing concealed carry statewide in 2011.
I assume that in the absence of some 'authorizing bill', and in light of the court's ruling that the ban is unconstitutional, one may carry concealed now at will in Wisconsin?
@Matthew: No. It was the judge of a county court so the ruling is only binding within Clark County.
However, Wisconsin law does allow you to carry openly. Go to http://www.wisconsincarry.org for more info on that.
So does this mean that concealed carry is now legal in Clark County?
@Pete – Bearing in mind that I'm NOT a lawyer, I think the answer is a qualified yes. I don't know the levels of the court system in WI so I don't know what other courts you could be tried in if you were arrested for carrying concealed in Clark Cty. If it was only Judge Counsell's court, you might be OK but for the rest, I just don't know.
If you live there, I'd suggest checking with a local atty.
Dear Fellow Wisconsite,
Now is the time to reclaim our natural-born right to self-defense. Come January, we will have a Republican Governor and majorities in the Senate and Assembly. Let's hope our legislators recognize these rights and pass a "Constitutional Carry" bill. Please follow the link to find out how you can help http://www.wisconsinccw.org/
"Laws that forbid the carrying of arms disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes. Such laws make things worse for the assaulted and better for the assailants; they serve rather to encourage than prevent homicides, for an unarmed man may be attacked with greater confidence than an armed one."
~ Thomas Jefferson 1764