Wisconsin Capitol Gunman Pleads Not Guilty, Sparks Security Review
Joshua Pleasnick, twice arrested for bringing firearms to Wisconsin Capitol, pleads not guilty. Ordered to avoid Gov. Evers and banned from possessing deadly weapons. Joshua Pleasnick, a 43-year-old man, has pleaded not guilty to a misdemeanor charge of carrying a firearm at the Wisconsin Capitol twice this month. He was arrested on October 4 when he openly brought a handgun into the building and was released on bail after returning with an AK-47-style rifle later that night. Court records showed that Pleasnik was offered a $500 signature bond, prohibited from possessing any weapon, and from entering certain parts of the Capitol grounds. The Dane County District Attorney clarified that open carry is permitted in public buildings that explicitly prohibit firearms, but not inside public buildings. Following his release from detention, police reported that he returned with a loaded AK-46-style weapon, leading to his re-arrest and subsequent psychiatric evaluation.
Published : 2 years ago by RodgersP in Politics General
Earlier this month, a man twice brought firearms onto the grounds of the Wisconsin Capitol. He subsequently pleaded not guilty on Thursday to a misdemeanor charge of carrying a firearm, as per courthouse records.
The individual, 43-year-old Joshua Pleasnick, was apprehended on the afternoon of October 4 when he openly brought a handgun into the state Capitol building. After asking to converse with Gov. Tony Evers, he was arrested and subsequently released on bail. Later that night, Pleasnick was again detained after he returned with an AK-47-style rifle, as stated by the Wisconsin Department of Administration.
Court records showed that Pleasnick was offered a $500 signature bond on Thursday, along with strict instructions not to approach within 1,000 feet of the governor or his family. He was also prohibited from possessing any sort of deadly weapon and from entering certain parts of the Wisconsin Capitol grounds. The misdemeanor charge relates to his initial detainment.
A pre-trial conference has been scheduled for November 20. Pleasnick’s attorney, Michael Edward Covey, has yet to remark on the matter.
Ismael Ozanne, the Dane County District Attorney, clarified the state’s stance on firearms to CNN. He explained that open carry is permissible, but not inside public buildings that explicitly prohibit firearms. He unveiled that the second encounter law enforcers had with Pleasnick was motivated by safety concerns rather than a breach of Wisconsin statute law.
The context of his first entry into the Capitol building, while also carrying a handgun, has been revealed. Pleasnick entered shirtless, a small dog leading his way on a leash, intending to talk with Gov. Evers. He was halted and directed to fill out paperwork to gain an appointment with the governor. At no point did he menace with the firearm, according to reports.
Pleasnick’s reticence to comply with the Capitol’s no-weapon policy led to his arrest. He admitted guilt for being ignorant of the Capitol’s prohibition of the open carry rule. In his conversation with the arresting officer, Pleasnick divulged that his primary concern was to articulate his worry that men abused by women are often disregarded by the justice system. He attributed his carrying of a gun to fear of harm from his ex-girlfriend.
Upon his release from detention, police report that Pleasnick again attempted to see the governor, this time armed with a loaded AK-47-style rifle, well after visiting hours for the public were over. His backpack also concealed an illegal collapsible police-style baton, leading to his re-arrest and subsequent psychiatric evaluation due to “concerning statements” he made.
Gov. Evers briefly commented on the matter earlier this month, expressing relief in the situation’s resolution and confidence in the policing forces at the state and Capitol levels handling situations like these. The governor also hinted at a plausible reevaluation of security protocols in the wake of such incidents.
Topics: Crime, Wisconsin