WI: Open carry on one's own property

[seamusTX]

A Wisconsin man was openly carrying a handgun in a holster on his own property in town and minding his business when one of his neighbors called the police. The man was arrested and charged with something that I do not know the technicalities of.

Wisconsin is by its constitution and laws an open carry state As in many such states, the police tend to take a dim view of citizens who exercise that right. The courts, however, have consistently upheld the right of citizens to bear arms openly.

http://dailykenoshan.com/index.php?opti ... Itemid=107" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

If you search for the name Brad Krause, you will find many related stories.

West Allis is a suburb of Milwaukee. Probably it should be noted that Milwaukee has the usual big-city crime problems, but they don't involve men planting trees in their own yard.

- Jim

[Dutchster]

Looks like tomorrow could be a big day. There's a hearing scheduled for 8AM on 2/17. Apparently at the last hearing the judge, who didn't seem to be a big pro-gun guy didn't seem overly impressed with the city's arguments for why he should be found guilty.

[Dutchster]

According to various media accounts it looks like he was found Not Guilty of disorderly conduct!

My favorite quote circulating in the several pieces is this one:

In explaining why he was carrying a gun while planting a tree, Krause said, "There's no requirement to justify why you're able to exercise constitutional rights. I and everyone else are able to go to church, they're able to vote, they're able to speak their mind. Even though the city might not like it, we have that right."

[seamusTX]

Here is one of many news stories:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi- ... 9357.story" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

- Jim

[seamusTX]

The controversy continues, if anyone is interested:

http://www.lakelandtimes.com/main.asp?S ... M=41334.22" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Note that Wisconsin is a state where open carry has always been legal, and it has been upheld by every court and state attorney general that visited the issue. Nevertheless, some police forces continue to harass arrest law-abiding people who are carrying openly.

- Jim