UW-Madison chancellor urges concealed carry exemption for campus property

University of Wisconsin–Madison Chancellor Biddy Martin is urging state lawmakers to exempt university property from any legislation allowing state residents to legally carry concealed weapons.

“All grounds and facilities are already off limits to the open carry law currently in effect,” says Martin. “It is long-held tradition that no weapons should be allowed on campus. Past versions of concealed carry legislation have exempted campus property from the places where people would legally be allowed to carry firearms, and other states with such laws have clear exemptions for university property. This bill should be no different.”

Although the legislation would allow UW–Madison to post notices prohibiting people from bringing firearms in to university buildings, that wouldn’t account for such areas as public spaces and parking lots.