Politics & Government

Shorewood Bans Weapons in Municipal Buildings

Officials also approved prohibiting village employees from carrying weapons while on duty.

Walking into Village Hall or the library with a weapon in your hand will get you more than just a few looks after Nov. 1, as Shorewood officials approved a ban on weapons in village-owned buildings Monday.

Shorewood amended its current ordinance regarding weapons to reflect the new state law, which allows the concealed carry of firearms, Tasers and other weapons as of Nov. 1, and banning any sort of weapon from village-owned buildings.

Unlike other municipalities like , all dangerous weapons are restricted. , like firearms, electric stun guns and certain knives.

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Village Attorney Ray Pollen said state statutes clearly defines weapons like firearms and other weapons requiring a permit to carry as dangerous weapons, but for those weapons where there's no permitting system, the definition is still a little fuzzy.

Shorewood's ordinance labels weapons like blackjacks, bludgeons, slingshots and daggers, in addition to firearms, as dangerous weapons.

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The law expressly prohibits an individual from carrying a concealed weapon into a police department or a courtroom while court is in session. Additionally, schools are weapon-free zones under state law. Otherwise, carrying a concealed weapon into any other facility is permitted, unless otherwise posted.

Shorewood is required to post signage at entrances of village-owned buildings stating weapons are prohibited.

Restrictions were approved Monday on employees carrying weapons while working. Village Manager was directed to update Shorewood's human resources manual to say village employees must refrain from carrying weapons while working or storing a weapon in a village-owned vehicle.

The on debate focused on a clause removed from the ordinance, which would have banned weapons from Shorewood special events. Officials said the village doesn’t have any events that would fall under state law's definition of a special event, which is a fenced off event with designated entrances that are locked after the event is closed.

β€œI could not think of an event in Shorewood in 21 years that has been fenced up and sealed like that,” Trustee Michael Maher said.

Shorewood Police Chief David Banaszynski said it would have likely just cause confusion about the ordinance.


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