In June of this year, Armed Wisconsin anglers can now breathe a sigh of relief and carry firearms while fishing without fear of fines.
In June of this year, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) repealed a decades-old rule that prohibited the possession of firearms on state waterways. This decision, effective immediately, marks a significant victory for gun rights advocates and fishing enthusiasts across the state.
The repeal stems from a lawsuit filed by the conservative law group, Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty (WILL), on behalf of Travis Kobs, a resident of Sheboygan Falls. The lawsuit challenged the constitutionality of the rule, arguing that it infringed on the rights of Wisconsinites under the Second Amendment, which guarantees the right to keep and bear arms.
Historically, the rule was intended to prevent the illegal shooting of fish—a practice that has long been outlawed. However, the rule had been in direct conflict with the state’s concealed carry law enacted in 2011. This conflict prompted a reevaluation of the rule’s relevance and legality.
The Republican-controlled Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules acted on the DNR’s request and temporarily nixed the rule on December 17, 2024, with plans for a permanent repeal. The committee voted 8-2 in favor of repealing the firearm ban for anglers, despite opposition from some who cited concerns over increasing gun presence in public spaces following recent violent incidents.
The committee’s decision reflects a broader shift in recognizing the rights of law-abiding citizens to carry firearms in traditional settings like the great outdoors, which historically have not been considered sensitive places where firearms might be restricted.
Skylar Croy, Associate Counsel for WILL, highlighted that the rule’s repeal honors a long tradition of firearm possession in outdoor activities and corrects an overreach that unnecessarily restricted the rights of citizens. “This rule was not just an infringement on our Second Amendment rights but also on our state constitution’s guarantee to fish and hunt,” Croy stated.
As a result of the legal pressure and subsequent repeal, Travis Kobs and other sportsmen can now legally carry firearms while engaging in fishing and other recreational activities on Wisconsin’s waterways. This change not only restores constitutional rights but also aligns state law with practical realities of outdoor sports and personal protection.
The success of this legal challenge underscores the importance of vigilant advocacy to ensure that regulations do not overstep constitutional boundaries. Wisconsin’s fishing and outdoor community, backed by legal advocacy, has set a precedent that could influence future discussions and policies regarding firearm rights in other states.
As the DNR works to officially remove the outdated regulation from the books, the fishing community celebrates a return to a more traditional understanding of fishing rights—one that recognizes the importance of self-defense and the responsible exercise of Second Amendment rights.
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