Village Delays Vote on Concealed Carry Policy

Although the state’s concealed carry law goes into full effect Nov. 1, the village’s specific policy regarding the new law won’t be ready to go until at least Nov. 7.

The Menomonee Falls Village Board had the opportunity to vote on a policy that would ban village employees from carrying concealed weapons in municipal buildings, but action was delayed Monday to buy additional time to consider changes. Whether in municipal buildings for the general public is also another question officials will still need to answer.

“I believe that is still an open issue at this point, and we seem to have a split board regarding that,” said Village Manager Mark Fitzgerald.

Larger issues aside, the village’s General Government Committee also will use the time to examine the cost of signage spelling out the policy the village may eventually adopt. According to Act 35, the concealed carry law, a sign detailing the village’s policy must be placed at all public and employee entrances at municipal buildings. The total cost of fulfilling that requirement is still a bit fuzzy.

Fitzgerald said the committee will look at whether concealed weapons can be banned from parks.Officials will seek answers to those questions before taking a vote on a policy at the Nov. 7 Village Board meeting.

Although the concealed carry law will have gone into effect before the village has a set policy, Fitzgerald said he doesn't believe that is a significant issue.

“(Nov. 1) is certainly when the state law takes effect, but it is not a significant issue for us. We’ll move as quickly as we can,” he said.

The board did adopt an ordinance to amend its current municipal code that regulates the possession and discharge of weapons. However, that measure was taken to ensure the current ordinance gels with state law.

Several neighboring communities have already crafted their policies regarding concealed wepaons in municipal buildings. and have already approved a policy banning concealed weapons from public buildings. Brookfield regarding its policy.

Germantown, on the other hand, has decided to allow concealed weapons in public buildings, according to a report from Germantown NOW.

The Menomonee Falls Village Board will meet at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 7 at , W156N8480 Pilgrim Rd.