Penalties For Gun Threats At Schools Could Increase

A bill to increase penalties for threatening to shoot people on school grounds is gaining support in the state Legislature.

Bomb threats at schools have been on the rise in Wisconsin, but law enforcement officials say threats of gun violence are also up. Threatening to bomb a school is already a felony in Wisconsin, but when a student in Barron County recently threatened to bring a gun to school and shoot people, prosecutors were only able to charge him with a misdemeanor.

Barron police Officer Nathan Emmons said boosting that penalty could deter future threats, and would allow judges to order mental health treatment for students who make them.

“I think this bill can help us and help our system to say, ‘Look, here’s what’s been happening. Let’s do something about it, let’s get you the help you need.’ Because these kids are really crying out for help. They need help and this could provide us a way to provide that,” he said.

Emmons said the tougher penalty will make students think twice before making a threat that lands them in adult court and charged with a felony.

Emmons also said reducing the number of threats could save school districts and law enforcement the cost of closing a school when such threats are made. He said shutting down a school for a day can cost as much as $25,000.

Dan Rossmiller, the director of the state School Board Association, said he supports the motives of the legislators who drafted the bill, but that he has some concerns. He would like to see language in the bill that encourages both prosecutors and judges to use discretion when charging teens who threaten to bring guns to school. He said he’s worried the law could end up sending a troubled teen to jail when a non-criminal penalty like suspension and court-ordered treatment might be better for both the school and the offending student.