MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- The Republican lawmaker who presides over the state Assembly says he's been carrying a concealed weapon during floor sessions.

Bill Kramer of Waukesha is speaker pro tem of the Assembly. He controls debate and can order spectators out of the chamber.

He says he obtained a permit to carry a concealed weapon in November and has at times carried a Glock 26 on the Assembly floor.

He says he feels he needs the weapon given the toxic atmosphere at the state Capitol.

Bands of protesters still angry over Republican Gov. Scott Walker's contentious collective bargaining law have spent the past year harassing GOP legislators.

Last week they heckled Walker from the Assembly's overhead galleries as the governor gave his state of the state speech in the chamber.