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New to Open carry in Wisconsin

timjohn90

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Jun 29, 2015
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US
Hi all!

BRAND NEW to open carry in Wisconsin. Any tips or advice ?

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timjohn90

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Jun 29, 2015
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Hey nightmare - thanks! Milwaukee and Menomonee falls area.

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Grapeshot

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Welcome aboard Timjohn90.

Moved this to the Wisconsin sub-forum as state specific info needed.
 

timjohn90

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Jun 29, 2015
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Waiting for the mail everyday. Sent in ccw paperwork

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Grapeshot

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Don't OC in a school zone unless you also have a concealed carry license. By statute it's not even legal for off duty police officers to carry within 1000 feet of a school unless they have a CCL.
While I understand where you are going with the "off duty police officer" thing, I submit that most (all?) LEOs are never fully off duty and are charged with carrying 24/7 in many departments. Also seriously doubt that any arrest of an officer would result in a conviction holding up. This actually might be a good way to have the GFSZA of 1995 declared unconstitutional just as the 1990 act was.

Also let's not forget the exception for private property.
 

pkbites

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While I understand where you are going with the "off duty police officer" thing, I submit that most (all?) LEOs are never fully off duty and are charged with carrying 24/7 in many departments.

Not true. Under Wisconsin law it depends on each departments written policies. The agency I retired from allowed (and in cases of a felony required) us to put ourselves on duty when we observed a crime in progress. After 25 years I retired and began a 2nd career with another department. This departments written policies forbid us from taking action off duty for any reason other than self defense.






Also let's not forget the exception for private property.

Yes. But carrying on a posted property is not a crime like unlicensed carry in a school zone is. It's only a forfeiture.
 

Firearms Iinstuctor

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northern wis
Not true. Under Wisconsin law it depends on each departments written policies. The agency I retired from allowed (and in cases of a felony required) us to put ourselves on duty when we observed a crime in progress. After 25 years I retired and began a 2nd career with another department. This departments written policies forbid us from taking action off duty for any reason other than self defense.

That's nice but their "no action policy doesn't stop you from being a officer" there is nothing in the definition of an peace or LEO that mentions on or off duty in Wis law. If I am wrong please correct me but I can't find it.

Law is law policy is policy, policy does not supersede the law
 
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pkbites

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That's nice but their "no action policy doesn't stop you from being a officer" there is nothing in the definition of an peace or LEO that mentions on or off duty in Wis law. If I am wrong please correct me but I can't find it.

Law is law policy is policy, policy does not supersede the law


I don't get what you're saying.

The school zone law specifically says "a law enforcement officer acting in his/her official capacity". It does not say "peace officer".

A cop lives or dies by his agencies written policies. Most of the time when an officer is fired it's for violating a policy. If the policy says you have no authority off duty, then you have no authority off duty. I'm not going to confront my chief with an argument about definitions. I have no desire to get involved in something off duty anyway. I like the "an off duty officer is nothing more than a witness" policy.

I doubt a police officer would arrest an off duty cop for having his weapon in a school zone. But crazier things have happened which is why I got my CCL just to avoid something weird from happening.
 

Grapeshot

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That's nice but their "no action policy doesn't stop you from being a officer" there is nothing in the definition of an peace or LEO that mentions on or off duty in Wis law. If I am wrong please correct me but I can't find it.

Law is law policy is policy, policy does not supersede the law
In Virginia there are statutes (legislature derived) and case law (from the courts). Then there are regulations which are rules established via formal procedure by state agencies - these too have the force of law and are found in the Virginia Administrative Code (VAC)
https://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?000+men+SRR

You may have something similar to these agency regulations in Wisconsin.
 

Firearms Iinstuctor

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Policy is not a regulation.

When your sworn in as a LEO you are an LEO it doesn't stop when your off duty.

If it did they would have to swear you in every day.

They could have a policy saying you can't carried concealed off duty but if you did you still wouldn't be violating state law.

If you make arrest off duty it is still an arrest the policy wouldn't void it.

You could very well be in the dog house with the Dept. and be in violation of their policy but I really don't think it would void the arrest.

The Dept. knows you legally can make arrest off duty other wise they wouldn't have a policy against it.

I am a firm believer in not acting in an off duty situation unless there is no other way to avoid it. To many officers get them self into trouble doing stupid things off duty.
 

Wstar425

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Jul 1, 2014
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Tomahawk and Abbotsford, Wi.
I've been OC in Northern WI for four years now. Some in southern, but mostly up north.
No issues with LE, a couple of scattered negative comments, but mostly people don't notice or don't care. I'm married to a school district administrator so our "circle of friends" includes some of that persuasion, although most of them are hunters at least. They mostly just think I'm a little eccentric, and they might be right!!

Really, it has not been an issue, the thumbs up and good comments, legit enquiries so outnumber the bad I call it 1000 to 4. I've only seen one other guy OC, but have had quite a few tell me they would too f they saw it more often. Ok?????

The law changes from time to time so this might not be right. You can OC loaded in your car, but if it's on your hip behind the console, that could be considered CC. Must be reasonabky visible from outside the vehicle. The license covers that. I don't really want it loose on the dash or bouncing around in an accident.

Our last move I made sure I could carry in my bank. Most credit unions seem to be no guns allowed. So, I carry into River Valley Bank. Usually have a nice chat with someone in there and about always get some double takes.

I would suggest thinking at least about some possible questions you might get, and how you want to respond. I will stand and discuss it as long as someone wants to, but I won't stand around to be be badgered. Just so you don't stammer around and look like an idiot. I hate that!
 

pkbites

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Milwaukee, Wisconsin, ,
Policy is not a regulation.

When your sworn in as a LEO you are an LEO it doesn't stop when your off duty.

If it did they would have to swear you in every day.

They could have a policy saying you can't carried concealed off duty but if you did you still wouldn't be violating state law.

If you make arrest off duty it is still an arrest the policy wouldn't void it.

You could very well be in the dog house with the Dept. and be in violation of their policy but I really don't think it would void the arrest.

The Dept. knows you legally can make arrest off duty other wise they wouldn't have a policy against it.

I am a firm believer in not acting in an off duty situation unless there is no other way to avoid it. To many officers get them self into trouble doing stupid things off duty.

This isn't correct. Especially when talking about making an off duty arrest outside of ones jurisdiction. The statute states the officers agency has to have a policy in place for it to be allowed.

As far fetched as it is for them to get arrested, an off duty cop armed in a school zone without a CCL or department authorization is committing a crime. Legally your argument of "always on duty" wouldn't wash in court. There is no state law or court precedent saying it. Training & Standards doesn't say it either. Unless a peace officers employing agency says it it just aint so.
 

paul@paul-fisher.com

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This isn't correct. Especially when talking about making an off duty arrest outside of ones jurisdiction. The statute states the officers agency has to have a policy in place for it to be allowed.

As far fetched as it is for them to get arrested, an off duty cop armed in a school zone without a CCL or department authorization is committing a crime. Legally your argument of "always on duty" wouldn't wash in court. There is no state law or court precedent saying it. Training & Standards doesn't say it either. Unless a peace officers employing agency says it it just aint so.

Can we stop polluting the OP's post with this?

I am assuming he's not a LEO.

It doesn't really matter anymore since now off-duty LEO's can carry in school zones with or without a CCL, thanks to Act 23.

http://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2015/related/acts/23
 

rightwinglibertarian

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Mar 22, 2014
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Seattle WA
Well this is a great way to welcome a new person. Argue and bicker.

I used to be in Wisconsin though La Crosse. There at least it's hit and miss. There you will see no gun signs if you look for them, unlike here in Washington that doesnt even bother. Probably because so few people bother to Open Carry.

Pretty simple really. See a no gun sign, do not enter but rather go back when not armed, speak to management and explain why they won't be getting your money
 

pkbites

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Milwaukee, Wisconsin, ,
Well this is a great way to welcome a new person. Argue and bicker.

We weren't arguing or bickering. We were discussing and debating. A very healthy activity when we are talking about things that could seriously trip one of us up while exercising our rights.

I was not aware the new law regarding peace officers going armed in/on school zones was already enacted. For whatever reason I thought it was end of July.

Like HR218 this is one of those things we have to build on. Use incrementalism like the antis do. Next we get nation wide carry for all permit/license holders. Then school zone carry for all. Then constitutional carry for all.

It would be nice to get it all at once but we won't. I know laws like this create a privileged class, but if we build on it to eventually include all it will have value.
 

paul@paul-fisher.com

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Chandler, AZ
We weren't arguing or bickering. We were discussing and debating. A very healthy activity when we are talking about things that could seriously trip one of us up while exercising our rights.

On a completely off topic topic. He asked about OC in Wisconsin and then people who don't live in Wisconsin and/or don't know Wisconsin laws fill up the topic.
 
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