A man accused of bringing guns to the Wisconsin Capitol grounds in Madison twice in one day earlier this month has been charged with a misdemeanor count of carrying a firearm in a public building, according to records. The man, identified as Joshua Pleasnick, 43, was arrested on the afternoon of October 4 after he openly entered the state Capitol building carrying a handgun and requested to speak with Governor Tony Evers, as stated in the charging document filed on Monday. Pleasnick was then detained after posting bail that night when he returned to the Capitol grounds with an AK-47-style rifle, as confirmed by the Wisconsin Department of Administration.

Pleasnick is facing the misdemeanor charge in connection with his first arrest, which occurred on October 4. He is expected to appear in court on Thursday, according to jail records. CNN has reached out to the Wisconsin Department of Administration and the Dane County District Attorney's Office for comment.

When Pleasnick initially entered the Capitol building around 2 p.m., he was shirtless and had a small dog on a leash. He walked past the checkpoint gate, attempting to go to the governor's office to speak with Evers, according to the charging document. A State Capitol Police officer stopped Pleasnick and asked him to step behind the gate and fill out a form in order to meet the governor. It was at this point that officers noticed Pleasnick was openly carrying a holstered handgun. The complaint states that Pleasnick did not attempt to brandish the firearm at any point.

When Pleasnick was informed by officers that open carry is not allowed inside the Capitol, he stated that he would not comply with that rule. In an interview with police, Pleasnick claimed that he was not aware that open carry is banned in the Capitol. He admitted his guilt, stating, "I didn't know I wasn't supposed to take a firearm into the Capitol," according to the document. Pleasnick further explained that he wanted to speak to the governor about his concern that men who have been abused by women are not taken seriously by the police or the justice system, citing personal experiences. He also mentioned that he carried the gun for self-protection, as he feared his ex-girlfriend might try to harm him.

The second incident involving Pleasnick, which led to his detainment after posting bail, is not detailed in the complaint. He returned to the Capitol grounds around 9 p.m., after the building had closed to the public, armed with a loaded AK-47-style rifle, reiterating his request to see the governor, as reported by the state administration department. Furthermore, police found a collapsible police-style baton in Pleasnick's backpack, which is illegal to carry concealed without a permit. As a result, officers took Pleasnick into "protective custody" for a psychiatric evaluation after he made a "concerning statement," according to the administration department.

CNN has sought further comment from Pleasnick, who has not yet obtained an attorney. Governor Evers, in a previous statement, assured that he was okay and commended the work of the Capitol police in handling the situation. He also mentioned that incidents like this prompt the reevaluation of security policies.

This incident took place following the inclusion of Governor Evers on a hit list of a gunman who was suspected of fatally shooting a retired county judge at his Wisconsin home in 2022. Other individuals on that list included Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. Governor Whitmer was the target of a kidnapping plot in 2020. Notably, Wisconsin's Capitol building is considered one of the most open in the country, lacking metal detectors, screening checkpoints, or X-rays. Visitors can freely enter between 8 a.m. during the week and go directly to the offices of state lawmakers and others.