Packing Heat: Shorewood Prepares for Concealed Weapons Law

Bill Quandt says in his 40 years in Shorewood there has never been a circumstance in which a person would need to bring a firearm into his Shorewood pharmacy and convenience store.

sits on East Capitol Drive, blocks from Lake Michigan and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. It’s also within walking distance of elementary schools like and and children frequent his establishment for after-school snacks.

“I think it’s going to be creepy to have somebody walk in with a gun,” Quandt said. "I don't want people walking in saying it's legal and scaring kids."

With Wisconsin's new concealed weapons law taking effect on Tuesday, business owners across the state are facing the same question of whether to prohibit guns in their establishments.

The law allows armed citizens to hit the streets, parks and businesses - unless there is a sign posted that bans weapons.

Quandt says he'll post a sign near his front entrance soon that will tell patrons to leave their guns at home.

Wisconsin will become the 49th state to grant permits to residents that will allow them to conceal weapons, whether it be a firearm or stun gun, after undergoing training. Felons and those under 21 year of age won’t be eligible for a license.

Many argue the new law is necessary to protect themselves even in businesses like Quandt’s.

OK'd here, not there

While most state buildings will allow weapons, excluding courtrooms, police stations, prisons, state-run mental facilities and laboratories, .

The Village Board took action a couple weeks ago by voting to prohibit any type of dangerous weapons and some less-popular options like blackjacks, bludgeons, slingshots and daggers.

But with any new law, speculation runs amok, and as owners like Quandt seek to ban weapons on their property, law experts warn they could be held responsible if enforce those restrictions.

Daniel Finerty, a Wauwatosa labor and employment litigation compliance lawyer, and talked about whether to allow weapons in their shops.

The state grants immunity from prosecution to anyone who doesn't prohibit weapons on premises in the event someone is harmed, Finerty said. And it allows for liability against a business owner who does ban weapons.

Given that, it might be very difficult even for someone who felt strongly that they wanted to ban weapons in their establishment to post a no-weapons sign for fear of prosecution or litigation.

Even trickier, Finerty said, is that, "immunity is perhaps not absolute. The law assumes that every licensed person is a good actor. But there are and always have been people who do not follow the rules. I think we all know that."

Change of mindset for police

With the apparent lack of clarity in the law, Shorewood police are preparing for what Police Chief David Banaszynski describes as a significant change for his department.

He has been talking with his officers about the change in law and how their approach needs to change while fulfilling their duties.

“It’s going to be a new mindset for our officers,” Banaszynski said. “It’s retraining, and reprogramming under this new law.”

“There is a 49-page document with answers on the new law on the Department of Justice’s website, so it’s quite an adjustment for our officers," he added.

Officers are trained to react a certain way when they observe an individual with a weapon underneath a jacket, he said.

“You take cover and follow the steps,” he said. “Now, we are in uncharted territory.

“We're not going to infringe on anyone’s rights, but hope people use common sense when carrying.”

Guns will be welcome at barber shop

While Quandt will ban wepaons in his business, Joe D'Acquisto, owner of , has no plans to do the same.

He says he has built up a loyal clientele base over the nearly two decades his shop has lined North Oakland Avenue near East Lake Bluff Boulevard. He knows his customers well, and won't be post any signs that would restrict their rights.

“They are nice people that come in here, and I have no worries about them coming in here with guns,” he said.

“They can bring them in. I have no problem with it.”