Caller: Is open carry legal?
Open carry has always been legal. You have a right to carry openly. Keep in mind that you might violate DNR rules. The new concealed carry law does not apply to long or sawed off guns; it only applies to handguns.
But what happens if you are in a situation in which a disorderly situation arises? For instance, say that you have a weapon on your person in a public place and someone near you is offended by the sight of the gun and creates a disorderly situation. Under Wisconsin disorderly conduct laws, you may have created an 'other disorderly conduct' situation. You would then have to defend yourself against the disorderly conduct charges.
Attorney Christopher T. (Chris) Van Wagner was a guest on Vicki McKenna's Upfront Talk show on WIBA.
