A man was arrested twice in a single day at the Wisconsin Capitol for carrying firearms and insisting on meeting with Governor Tony Evers. This shocking incident unfolded on October 5th.
The man, whose identity remains undisclosed, first appeared at the governor’s office around 2 p.m., shirtless and with a holstered handgun. He demanded to see Governor Evers, who was not present in the building at the time.
Despite Wisconsin being an open-carry state, the man’s actions were deemed illegal as he did not possess a concealed carry permit, a requirement for bringing firearms into the Capitol.
Holy Shit.
“Man with handgun seeking Gov. Tony Evers arrested at Wisconsin Capitol, returns later with assault rifle”https://t.co/TMU4VOhJ1K
— Jo (@JoJoFromJerz) October 5, 2023
Capitol police promptly apprehended the man for openly carrying a firearm within the Capitol premises. Following his arrest, he was booked into the Dane County Jail. However, this was not the end of the saga.
After posting bail, the man returned to the Capitol later that evening, this time armed with a rifle.
The Capitol building, which closes to the public at 6 p.m., became the scene of his second arrest. Once again, he demanded to see Governor Evers. Madison police reported that the man was taken into “productive custody” and subsequently hospitalized.
A Madison man who goes by “Taco” brought two guns to the Wisconsin State Capitol Wednesday and demanded to see Gov. Tony Evers to talk about “domestic abuse towards men,” according to an alert sent to lawmakers today.
Story and photo here:https://t.co/gQtSL4surE pic.twitter.com/BKbcL5FrmE
— Molly Beck (@MollyBeck) October 5, 2023
The governor’s office, represented by spokesperson Britt Cudaback, declined to comment on the incident, stating they typically do not respond to questions about security issues.
This silence from the governor’s office raises questions about the security measures in place at the Capitol and the potential threats faced by public officials.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing debate surrounding gun control and the right to bear arms, particularly in open-carry states like Wisconsin. It also underscores the need for robust security measures to protect public officials and institutions from potential threats.
As we await further details on this developing story, it is crucial to remember this incident should not be used to stigmatize all gun owners. Stay tuned for more updates on this unfolding story.
This article appeared in StatesmanPost and has been published here with permission.
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