LRB-4334/1
CMH:amn
2021 - 2022 LEGISLATURE
January 18, 2022 - Introduced by Representatives Conley, Andraca, Subeck,
Billings, Emerson, Hebl, Hesselbein, Neubauer, Shelton, Sinicki,
Snodgrass and Stubbs, cosponsored by Senators Roys and Johnson. Referred
to Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety.
AB855,1,2
1An Act to create 941.20 (1) (am) of the statutes;
relating to: leaving a firearm
2in an unlocked vehicle and providing a penalty.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
Current law criminalizes certain actions that endanger safety by using
firearms or other weapons. For example, under current law, it is a Class A
misdemeanor to endanger another's safety by negligently operating or handling a
dangerous weapon or to carry a firearm while under the influence of an intoxicant.
This bill adds that it is a Class A misdemeanor for a person to store or leave an
operable firearm in an unlocked stationary vehicle if the person is not in or in
proximity to the vehicle. The bill prohibits arresting or prosecuting a person for the
violation created under this bill if the violation is discovered when the person reports
that a firearm was stolen from an unlocked vehicle.
Because this bill creates a new crime or revises a penalty for an existing crime,
the Joint Review Committee on Criminal Penalties may be requested to prepare a
report.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do
enact as follows:
AB855,1
3Section
1. 941.20 (1) (am) of the statutes is created to read:
AB855,1,54
941.20
(1) (am) 1. Stores or leaves a firearm in a stationary vehicle unless any
5of the following applies:
AB855,2,1
1a. The person is in the vehicle.
AB855,2,32
b. The person is in such proximity to the vehicle that he or she could retrieve
3the firearm as easily or quickly as if carried on his or her body.
AB855,2,54
c. The vehicle is securely locked or the firearm is in a securely locked location
5or compartment of the vehicle.
AB855,2,76
d. The firearm is rendered inoperable by removal of an essential component of
7the firing mechanism.
AB855,2,108
2. A person may not be arrested or prosecuted for a violation of subd. 1. that
9is discovered because the person reports that a firearm was stolen from a vehicle, or
10a location or compartment of a vehicle, that was not securely locked.
