Wisconsin stands on the verge of becoming the 49th state in the country to allow citizens to carry concealed guns, after the state Assembly made a bipartisan vote to legalize that practice Tuesday.
The measure passed 68-27, with 11 Democrats voting in favor of the bill along with the body’s lone independent and all Republicans except Rep. Don Pridemore (R-Hartford), who had wanted stronger legislation. Rep. Jeff Stone (R-Greendale) said his vote was mistakenly not counted and he would seek to correct that.
The approval of the bill marks one more piece of long-blocked legislation that Republicans have been able to pass now that they control all of state government. The bill to allow the concealed carry of guns and other weapons such as Tasers passed the Senate on a bipartisan vote last week, so approval in the Assembly sends the bill to Gov. Scott Walker, who supports the measure.
Rep. John Nygren (R-Marinette) said the bill restored the right of law-abiding citizens to carry a concealed weapon for their protection.
“This right is for all citizens of Wisconsin that follow the law,” Nygren said.
