No Guns in City Buildings Considered

Brookfield Mayor Steve Ponto Tuesday said aldermen should debate whether to ban concealed weapons from city buildings before the state law goes into effect this fall.

Ponto made a formal referral to the Common Council's Legislative and Licensing Committee to study whether "to prohibit concealed carry in municipal buildings."

The mayor made the referral at the end of Tuesday's council meeting and there was no discussion about it.

After the meeting, Ponto said in an interview he was leaning against allowing weapons, saying the city never has allowed anyone other than sworn police officers to carry guns into city buildings.

"As a general matter we're concerned about it," he said.

Ponto said weapons are prohibited from Waukesha County buildings and the state Capitol and banning them in municipal buildings "would be consistent."

He added, however, that it would be up to the aldermen.

"We want the council to thoroughly study it and discuss it," he said.

The Whitefish Bay Village Board to ban concealed firearms from being carried into village-owned properties. Signs will be erected prohibiting guns in the Village Hall, library, police, fire and public works buildings, as well as village buildings within parks.

The village manager said Whitefish Bay was one of the first municipalities to ban concealed firearms but others were expected to adopt similar restrictions.

According to a legislative bulletin from the League of Wisconsin Municipalities, the concealed carry law that Gov. Scott Walker signed into law July 8 prohibits carrying firearms into police stations and municipal courtrooms if court is in session.

Local governments also may ban firearms from municipal buildings if a proper sign is posted, but they can not prohibit them from municipal parks and open spaces, according to the League analysis.

Among other action Tuesday night, the Common Council:

• Approved exterior facade changes to the eastern side of mall along Moorland Road for a new retailer moving in this fall: The North Face outdoor clothing and equipment. Facade changes also will highlight The Limited as it moves into remodeled space just north of The North Face. (Architectural rendering shown in .)
• Approved a development agreement to allow construction of a retail center dubbed Underwood Crossing anchored by a new Target store at 12821 W. Blue Mound Road.
  
  The agreement, however, was amended to remove the restrictions on the hours of operation . Without discussion, the council agreed to prohibit any 24-hour operations by any tenants in Underwood Crossing, including Target.
  
  Dan Ertl, city director of community development, said the Target Co. objected to the specific hours of operation approved, which included the critical holiday shopping between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
  
  However, Ertl said Target officials assured the city they plan to have the same hours of operation at the Brookfield store as exist at other area Target stores.