Gun Free Wisconsin State Worksites

Governor Tony Evers, Secretary of Administration Joel Brennan, Attorney General Josh Kaul

SPONSORED BY: Wisconsin Professional Employee Council, AFT Local 4848

Sponsored by

To: Governor Tony Evers, Secretary of Administration Joel Brennan, Attorney General Josh Kaul
From: [Your Name]

Governor Tony Evers

Secretary of Administration Joel Brennan

Attorney General Josh Kaul

To ensure our public agencies are a safe and welcoming place for all, we are calling on you to ban weapons in Wisconsin state government buildings.

In Wisconsin today, most state government agencies allow weapons inside their buildings and in vehicles in their parking lots. This has only been the case since 2011. Before then, only police and wardens could carry weapons in state buildings.

YOU have the power to change this policy, for example by posting signs at doors and entrances, forbidding weapons in state agency buildings. You do not need to wait for the legislature.

Currently, most Wisconsin state agency buildings allow employees and visitors to Conceal Carry weapons or store a weapon in a vehicle​.

State employees deserve input into all our conditions of work and Health & Safety policies especially. We need to have a good working environment to provide essential public services efficiently to all. Our input and participation is necessary for creating a strong safety culture.

Getting guns out of our worksites will reduce the chance of accidents, suicides, thefts, crime & violence, and increase safety for employees and the public. Women, people of color, people with disabilities, LGBTQ people, and members of oppressed or minority groups are at particular risk of gun violence, so acting now will improve equity in our public agencies.

The presence of firearms at work limits our ability to implement laws and provide public services democratically to all, by allowing an opportunity for intimidation and fear created by a few. To do our work impartially, public employees must be insulated from anti-democratic pressure from cronies, corporate bullies, partisan forces, or those who threaten violence.