Madison, Wisconsin –-(Ammoland.com)- Until Dec. 7, Wisconsin was one of just 22 states without some form of “castle doctrine” or “Make-My-Day” law.
But passage of Assembly Bill 69 on that date changes everything by improving legal protections for home owners who use deadly force in self-defense.
“A person has a right to defend themselves and their family in their dwelling,” said Sen. Van Wanggaard (R-Racine), a lead sponsor of the legislation as reported on jsonline.com. “The fundamental issue is about protecting life, not property.”
The bill passed the State Senate 26-7 on November 3, and was sent to Governor Walker for final passage into law on Dec. 7.
According to Wisconsin Gun Owners, (WGO) the legislation — which was rammed through at 5 am in the morning — is a step in the right direction but could have been stronger.
The bill, said WGO, affirmed only the “privilege of self-defense, not the right (as enumerated in the Wisconsin Constitution’s Right to Bear Arms); it also didn’t include the language “any place you may legally be.
“Under AB 69 criminal courts can still litigate against gun owners like you, potentially costing you thousands of dollars in attorney fees,” said Dudley Brown, Executive Director of the National Assoc. for Gun Rights. “While AB 69 is not great it does significantly advance legal protections for Wisconsin’s gun owners because, unlike other states, it includes your home, car, and workplace.”
WGO plans to continue pushing for a better law, but aren’t holding our breath waiting for the institutional gun lobby to take up that torch.
In the meantime, anti-gun lawyers with the State Bar of Wisconsin — a group representing more than 600 criminal defense lawyers, prosecutors, judges, academics and other numbskulls — opposed the bill crying foul that it would enable homeowners to shoot “trick-ortreaters.”
About:
WGO works for grassroots gun owners, not politicians. While many gun lobbies fight for “reasonable gun control,” WGO sets a higher standard: Defining the terrain of pro-gun political battle. Sure, many groups claim they’re “pro-gun” – all the while they provide cover for anti-gun deals cut by politicians – but only WGO truly informs gun owners, remaining committed to a 100% pro-gun position. We oppose all gun control – regardless of the political party – and work tirelessly to restore the Second Amendment. Visit www.wisconsingunowners.org
