The murder portion of the Rittenhouse trial is pretty much over.

[Amishman]

15. even the weapons charges are a complicated issue

Last edited Mon Nov 8, 2021, 04:59 PM - Edit history (1)

Wisconsin statute 948.60 is a clumsy law due to how it was written and amended.

The original law 948.60 (2) is pretty clear

Any person under 18 years of age who possesses or goes armed with a dangerous weapon is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.

Years later it was weakened by 948.60 (3) which are several exceptions to this. (3) (c) says this

This section applies only to a person under 18 years of age who possesses or is armed with a rifle or a shotgun if the person is in violation of s. 941.28 or is not in compliance with ss. 29.304 and 29.593. This section applies only to an adult who transfers a firearm to a person under 18 years of age if the person under 18 years of age is not in compliance with ss. 29.304 and 29.593 or to an adult who is in violation of s. 941.28.

941.28 prohibits short barreled rifles and shotguns, which Rittenhouse's gun was not. 29.304 and 29.593 are both about hunting and not relevant.

The defense tried to have this charged tossed pre-trial, but the judge said the law is unclear and would leave it up to the jury.