imported post
As a landlord, I can tell you that every state has different laws with regard to what landlords can and cannot prohibit.
In Wisconsin there is a list of "Prohibited rental agreement provisions." (see link below)
http://www.legis.state.wi.us/rsb/code/atcp/atcp134.pdf
"prohibiting firearms" is NOT one of the "prohibited provisions". in Wisconsin.
Other states DO prohibit a landlord from prohibiting firearms in their respective statutes that deal with "prohibited rental agreement provisions"
In Minnesota:
Minn. stat. sec. 624.714, subdivision 17.
(e) A landlord may not restrict the lawful carry or possession of firearms by tenants or their guests.
In Tennessee, the AG said that landlords MAY prohibit firearms:
http://www.tennessee.gov/attorneygeneral/op/2009/op/op09-170.pdf
I am not a lawyer, but my conclusion would be that states that wanted to protect a person from their landlord prohibiting firearms have written that specific language into their statutes. IT IS NOT part of Wisconsin statutes.
In its absence, I believe that it WOULD be within the right of a landlord to prohibit firearms (if they did so within the lease) If its not in the lease, then they cannot. (until your lease comes up for renewal, then they could add it)
I suppose one could ALWAYS TRY to sue in civil court for deprivation of rights or something, but in that case, you will be evicted first (for non-compliance with the lease) and THEN find yourself filing a civil suit (and paying an attorney $$$) to claim violation of your rights? All over leased space?
Leased space is like a crazy ex-girlfriend. You could beg her to stay but WHY would you want to? Walk away man!
Why give a freedom ignoring landlord your business?
READ THE LEASE BEFORE YOU SIGN IT. If it prohibits firearms, walk away. If you haven't noticed, there is plenty of leased space to pick from. Find a place down the street who doesn't have firearms prohibitions written in the lease will take you.
If you have already signed a lease that had firearms prohibitions, plan to move as soon as your lease is up.
You are of course welcome to spend your hard earned money filing a civil suit that you may or may not win, but is that worth it when you can just move?
In this case, just like a store that prohibits firearms, rather than try to leverage the court system to force your will on another persons private property, just shop elsewhere. (or boycott or whatever you want to do)