Anglers in Wisconsin can now legally carry firearms while fishing, following a recent decision by the state’s Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules. The Republican-controlled committee voted 8-2 on Dec. 17 to temporarily repeal a long-standing Department of Natural Resources (DNR) rule that prohibited guns “that might be used for the purpose of fishing.” The DNR has indicated it will permanently repeal the rule as part of a lawsuit settlement, mostly because it just stupid.
Legal Challenge Spurs Change
The rule’s repeal stems from a lawsuit filed by the conservative Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty on behalf of Sheboygan Falls resident Travis Kobs. The lawsuit argued the regulation was unconstitutional, effectively creating a blanket firearm ban on state waterways.
DNR attorney Chandra Harvey explained to the committee that the rule, dating back to at least the 1950s, was originally designed to prevent the illegal shooting of fish. However, the passage of Wisconsin’s concealed carry law in 2011 brought the rule into conflict with state statutes protecting the right to carry firearms.
“The regulation no longer aligns with current state law,” Harvey told the committee.
Divided Opinions on Gun Access
The committee’s decision was not without controversy. Democratic Senators Kelda Roys of Madison and Chris Larson of Milwaukee voted against the repeal, citing concerns over increased gun access, a seemingly blanket argument by Democrats on any committee.
During the public hearing, Roys referenced a tragic school shooting in Madison that occurred earlier the same week, leaving three people dead, and which had nothing to do with concealed carry or fishing.
“I think there are still good reasons why we should not have more guns in more places, especially given recent events in my district,” Roys said.
Larson questioned whether the DNR had issued any citations under the rule. Harvey confirmed that no citations had been issued for carrying guns while fishing, prompting Republican Senator Steve Nass of Whitewater to remark, “Nobody’s pulling their pistol out to shoot fish. So, hallelujah.”
Looking Ahead
The DNR will likely permanently repeal the firearm restriction for anglers, marking a significant shift away from a law that effectively served no purpose and never even needed to be enforced. On a side note for those looking how to properly carry while fishing GunfightersINC, which makes holsters, even has an article on how to fish while carrying and what holsters are best.
LOL, if Wisconsin had more moccasins and gators, it’s citizens would have been spared this stupidity in the first place…
You would think Wisconsin has enough bears and wolverines to justify not having this provision in the first place. At least they were successful at preventing school shootings, oh wait…
XZX, great minds think alike.
” moccasins and gators “, shit, that ain’t nuthin !! Up here, including Mn., we got ‘skeeters the size of hummingbirds and deer flies the size of sparrows…..by the MILLIONS.
You sutherners gots it EASY !!
If I recall Wisconsin was the 49th state to get concealed carry a few years before ILLannoy. I would expect stupid crap from them. Not on the list of states we’d move to. We went to the Dells last year but Madison is a hotbed of leftards🙄
I don’t know about “having it easy”. But at least we actually have a hunting season for gators.
I’ve always thought it was something of a flex, but people do admit bagging a gator by way of a bang-stick to the brain stem with a shottie cartridge…at contact range.
But at least we don’t have to shovel our driveways in this part of Florida. Personally, that would be worse!
Unicorn, I’m sitting at the farm now waiting on the next poacher. It’s 74 degrees. In N FL. The mosquitoes here can have carnal knowledge with a turkey flat footed. Year round. Florida is not Disney World. Walt only built it here so stupid yankees would spend a lot of money here. Not a problem. If only they would go home.
Oh, Unicorn! The next time a 10 foot 500 lb gator grabs you by the leg, drags you into the water and begins the death roll; be sure to remind me of how vicious those deer flies are. 😂
Hah, we don’t have gators up here in Mn….. the insects and Walleyes drove them down the Mississippi and into the gulf. Sucks to be yous !!
The largest we’ve taken out of the pond was 11′ 11″ long. I’ll put that up against your mosquitoes and raise you the 7’7″ eastern diamondback rattlesnake I caught live in 1987.
Hey GF, doesn’t the lakes and glades freezing up solid over the winter months thin those gators down some ??
Oh wait…. nevermind
@Flag
You be careful out there. Wildlife trafficking ain’t what it used to be. It’s organized crime now. And anytime you see good habitat that is not overrun with deer and turkey, organized crime is likely what you are looking at. Way closer to Capone than Boone or Crockett. JMHO.
Got the Venezuelan gangs that Obiden imported in that also?
Yes, yes we do.
But most of our sheriffs say we can shoot ’em. And we don’t need to use a bang-stick, so there’s that.
Hmmm, what to do with the Venezuelans after you shoot them ?? Do the gators enjoy imported feed ?
“Hmmm, what to do with the Venezuelans after you shoot them ??”
The cops call the coroner and they drag them off to who cares, they are *gone*… 😉
Y’all can talk but if you ever got side-eye from a Walleye you ain’t been scared.
Walleye, yeah…I lived in Toledo for a bit. Walleye fishing was a big deal every springtime. But by July, the walleye would all be working swing shift at the local Jeep plant.
And if you ever bought a Dodge, Chrysler, or Jeep product from those days, you would NOT be the first to ask “WTF, was this car built by a fish?”
XZX, you ain’t telling me anything I don’t already know. Again, I’m carrying two handguns and have a rifle next to my right knee. Most important is that I know the rhythm of everything that happens here. Aaron just stopped to speak with me. He’s an odd, but interesting character that walks a lot. I mean a lot. He does seasonal work with the National Park Service at Yosemite and lives with his brother here in the off season. Situational awareness is the foundation of self defense.
In Iowa, for many years, the progs banned carry on snowmobiles/ATVs/etc as well. Which is just as moronic. I don’t know the current status since we got Constitutional carry a few years ago.
Sneaky fishermen….carry all that fishing tackle and bait as an insidious cover to shoot fish. Oh the humanity errrr…fisherty!
I remember when lever action 25-35s could be had cheap – worn out fish guns was what they were. I never saw much harm in it.