Gun Store Security Legislation Receives Public Hearing

February 14, 2017

MADISON – Today, the Assembly Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety held a public hearing on AB 728, which would require retail businesses that sell firearms to secure all firearms when the business is unattended. Last April, a Janesville gun shop was robbed of eighteen guns and two silencers by an individual who smashed a glass door to gain entry. The man responsible has been convicted, but the firearms have not been recovered. In October of last year, criminals drove a vehicle through the front window of a Cross Plains gun shop and were able to get away with fourteen firearms. Last month, the same Janesville gun store from the April incident was burglarized, and seven handguns were stolen. The next day another gun store in Oregon, Wisconsin, was burglarized and fourteen guns were stolen in less than two minutes after the initial break-in.

“When firearms are not secured after hours, these shops are easy targets for criminals who can break-in and within minutes walk away with several firearms. These stolen guns turn up on our streets, in the hands of criminals, posing a danger to the community,” said Rep. Subeck. “This common sense legislation will keep firearms out of the hands of criminals and make our communities more secure.”

Under the bill, each firearm that is located in a place of business where these weapons are sold must be secured using one of the following methods when the business is closed:

  1. Secured in a locked fireproof safe, locked steel gun cabinet, or in a vault on the business’s premises.
  2. Stored in a steel frame display case with a hardened steel lock which is fitted either with smash-proof polycarbonate panels or with glass that is protected with a security or protective laminate film. If the location of the retail store is at street level, one of the following is also required:
    1. Concrete or hardened steel bollards, or other barriers such as security planters or other devices that protect the location's front entrance, any floor-to-ceiling windows, and any other doors that could be breached by a vehicle.
    2. Locking steel roll-down doors that are installed on all perimeter doors and floor-to-ceiling windows, unless the installation would violate a state or local fire code.
  3. Secured with a hardened steel rod or cable through the trigger guard of each firearm. If the location of the retail store is at street level, one of the following is also required:
    1. Concrete or hardened steel bollards, or other barriers such as security planters or other devices that protect the location's front entrance, any floor-to-ceiling windows, and any other doors that could be breached by a vehicle.
    2. Locking steel roll-down doors that are installed on all perimeter doors and floor-to-ceiling windows, unless the installation would violate a state or local fire code.
  4. Stored in a windowless room that is equipped with a steel security door fitted with a deadbolt lock and that does not have a door exposed to the outside of the building.
  5. Stored behind a steel roll-down door or security gate or secured in a locked steel gun rack by use of a hardened steel bar.

 

Click here to view copy of the bill and here for a copy of the amendment.

Gun Store.png