State Assembly Republicans decided to hold off late Wednesday on pursuing a bill that would have allowed an expanded number of people to bring guns into state schools.
The bill, which was scheduled for discussion and a vote in the Assembly’s criminal justice committee Thursday, turned increasingly controversial recently after state Rep. Joel Kleefisch, R-Oconomowoc, proposed an amendment to allow all concealed carry permit holders in the state to bring their weapons into schools.
Currently only law enforcement officials can legally carry weapons into schools.
Kleefisch had planned to have the committee vote on his amendment during Thursday’s session, but after meeting Wednesday with Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Burlington, Kleefisch and Vos decided to postpone the legislation entirely, according to the Associated Press. Kleefisch, whose bill sparked intense opposition from education and law enforcement groups, decided the bill was not ready for “prime time.”
Kit Beyer, Vos’ spokesperson, told the AP the bill would also not receive a state Assembly vote after Wednesday’s change.
