Wisconsin GOP Bill Lowers Concealed Carry Age To 18

The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports:

Assembly Republicans approved legislation that would lower the age to carry a concealed weapon from 21 to 18, allow guns to be carried in more churches and make it easier to bring loaded weapons onto school grounds. Republicans said the bills were meant to protect the Second Amendment rights of Wisconsinites.

“If you’re old enough to fight for your country, (if) you’re old enough to sign contracts, if you’re old enough to decide who the president of the United States is, we think you’re old enough to be responsible with your rights and to be able to protect yourself,” said Republican Rep. Shae Sortwell of Gibson, the chief sponsor of the bill lowering the age to qualify for a concealed weapons permit.

Salon reports:



“Guns do not belong anywhere in or near schools,” said Democratic state Rep. Deb Andraca. “Collectively, what these bills would do, they would allow high school seniors to carry a loaded gun in the car to school grounds [and] at school events.”

Democratic state Rep. Lisa Subeck likewise questioned whether guns “make people feel safer,” saying, “In this state, you can get a concealed carry permit and never once get any hands-on firing a gun and that’s terrifying.”