Joshua Pleasnick, 43 years old, faces charges for allegedly brandishing firearms twice in a single day on the premises of the Wisconsin state Capitol. According to the court documents, Pleasnick entered the state Capitol during the afternoon of October 4, wielding a handgun and seeking an audience with Governor Tony Evers. Following his initial arrest and subsequent release on bail, Pleasnick returned to the Capitol the same night brandishing an AK-47-style rifle, leading to his detainment.
Court appearance records indicate that Pleasnick is due to face trial this Thursday. For the time being, he remains in custody, with a specific prohibition on possessing firearms or entering the Capitol building, as stated by Wisconsin Department of Administration spokesperson, Tatyana Warrick.
Pleasnick’s misdemeanor charge arises from his initial arrest when trying to enter the state Capitol. Wisconsin state laws stipulate that public display of a firearm doesn’t warrant a disorderly conduct offense, as clarified by Dane County District Attorney Ismael Ozanne. However, firearms are not allowed in public buildings that have signage prohibiting them.
During his first arrival at the Capitol building, Pleasnick was shirtless, with a small dog on a leash. He ignored the checkpoint gate and sought to gain access to the governor’s office, but was intercepted by a State Capitol Police officer who instructed him to fill out an access form to the governor. Pleasnick’s handgun was visible, yet he didn’t attempt to threaten anyone with it.
Upon being informed that firearms were prohibited inside the Capitol, Pleasnick declined to adhere to this rule, leading to his arrest. According to testimony, Pleasnick expressed his ignorance of the prohibition on public display of firearms in the Capitol and accepted his guilt. He further stated his desired discourse with the governor to discuss the dismissed plight of men who face abuse by women—a personal experience of his. He regards the firearm as a means of safeguarding against a potential threat from his ex-girlfriend.
The misdemeanor charge against Pleasnick for illegally carrying a handgun into a public building was cemented by the Dane County District Attorney’s Office on October 16, with the origins traced back to his initial arrest on October 4. After his first arrest, Pleasnick was released on the evening of October 17.
In a repeat incident later that night, Pleasnick returned to the Capitol—this time, armed with an AK-47-style rifle, demanding another meeting with Governor Evers after the Capitol’s public visiting hours had ended. Upon scrutiny, the police also discovered a collapsible police-style baton—which is considered illegal to possess without a license—in his backpack. Following his concerning behavior, Pleasnick was taken into ‘protective custody’ pending a mental health evaluation.
The document doesn’t provide further details about this second incident leading to Pleasnick’s custody, and Pleasnick himself, yet to engage an attorney, hasn’t given any additional statements on the matter.
Governor Evers credits the Capitol Police for taking control of the situation, acknowledging that such incidents often lead to retrospection and possible alterations in security policies. He expressed his gratitude for the police departments’ efforts in maintaining peace in the Capitol and reassured that he remained unscathed during these events.
