A new proposal in Wisconsin seeks to ban concealed carry on public university campuses, marking a significant shift in the state's gun regulations. The bill, introduced by Democratic lawmakers, aims to make it a Class A misdemeanor to carry a firearm on any campus, even for individuals holding a concealed carry permit. This bill is part of an ongoing debate over the role of firearms in higher education institutions. It would carry severe penalties, including a maximum penalty of nine months in prison and a $10,000 fine. The current law in Wisconsin allows concealed carry permit holders to bring firearms onto public university campuses, but with restrictions that prevent them from carrying in buildings with posted signs prohibiting weapons. This new bill would eliminate these exceptions, imposing a broad ban on carrying firearms across all areas of public university campuses, regardless of whether the carrier has a permit. Democratic Sen. Kelda Roys, a key proponent of the bill, argued that this legislation would help universities adopt the same gun-free policies currently enjoyed by K-12 schools in Wisconsin. Roys believes that expanding gun-free zones in educational settings would improve safety, especially in the wake of high-profile incidents of gun violence on campuses across the nation. Nella Bleill, a student at UW-Madison and survivor of the 2022 parade shooting in Highland Park, Illinois, voiced her support for the bill, emphasizing the importance of creating safer learning environments. Bleill argued that concealed carry on college campuses is an unnecessary risk, noting that many students, particularly women, may not feel safe with the presence of firearms around them. Despite these arguments in favor of the bill, the proposal faces significant opposition from Republican lawmakers who control the state legislature. They argue that concealed carry permits should allow permit holders to carry weapons in public places, including college campuses, in order to protect themselves from potential threats. The bill was previously proposed in earlier legislative sessions, but Republican leaders have not acted on it, and it remains uncertain whether this proposal will gain traction. The bill follows recent tragic events, such as the May murder-suicide at UW-Platteville, which raised concerns about safety on campus. However, critics of the bill argue that banning concealed carry could leave students and faculty unprotected in emergency situations. For example, the tragic events at UW-Platteville were exacerbated by the absence of any means for students to defend themselves, as many campus buildings prohibit the carrying of firearms. This proposal is also part of a broader conversation about the role of firearms in public spaces. Wisconsin remains one of only 14 states that require public universities to allow concealed carry, despite growing national conversations about campus safety and gun control. The debate over this bill reflects a broader national conversation about how to balance the constitutional right to bear arms with the desire to protect public spaces, including educational environments, from gun violence.