MADISON, Wis. – Recent shootings across the U.S. have Democratic lawmakers in Wisconsin renewing their call for gun control legislation, while at the same time criticizing the Republican-controlled Legislature for a lack of action.

However, some Republican leaders have pushed back and said little can be done.
 

What You Need To Know

  • In the wake of several mass shootings across the country, Democrats are renewing their push for universal background checks and red flag laws

  • During a recent press conference, Speaker Vos doubted further legislation would prevent mass shootings

  • A bill was introduced by a Republican lawmaker this week to make Wisconsin a “2nd Amendment Sanctuary state”

  • In 2020, Wisconsin had 10 mass shootings that killed 11 and injured 42

 

What Reform, if Any, Is Likely To Happen?


Chances are, you won't see any new rules for firearms purchases any time soon in Wisconsin.

During a press conference last week, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester) doubted any further legislation would prevent mass shootings and said little can be done other than arresting perpetrators after the fact.

“We know that it's a very limited number, especially now with COVID, where you do not have anywhere near the number of gun shows and all those things,” Vos told reporters.

Vos said a majority of weapons purchased in Wisconsin already go through a background check process.

“If someone chooses to break the law, there's very little we can do besides arrest them after the fact,” Vos said.
 

In this Feb. 27, 2020, file photo, the Molson Coors facility is seen in Milwaukee. An employee at the historic Molson Coors facility shot and killed five co-workers Wednesday afternoon and then turned the gun on himself. Six people, including the shooter, were killed on Feb. 26, 2020 at the facility. (AP Photo/Morry Gash, File)


In 2020, Wisconsin had 10 mass shootings that killed 11 and injured 42, according to Gun Violence Archive. The Molson Coors brewery shooting in Milwaukee, which happened in February, was among the deadliest.

Democrats said it's time to step up and demonstrate to the public that lawmakers care.

“I'm not saying that there's a law that we could pass that would stop all of this gun violence, but leaders have the responsibility to take any measure possible, and we do know that measure would save lives or would have saved lives in the past, so let's start there,” Assembly Minority Leader Gordon Hintz (D-Oshkosh) said during a separate press conference before last week's floor session.
 

The Molson Coors facility is seen Thursday Feb. 27, 2020, in Milwaukee. An employee at the historic Molson Coors facility shot and killed five co-workers Wednesday afternoon and then turned the gun on himself. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)


Back in 2019, Gov. Evers called for a special session to consider new gun laws, including expanding the types of guns that could receive background checks and creating a “red flag law” to take away guns from people who are a risk to themselves or others.

A Marquette Law School poll at the time in 2019 found wide support for expanding background checks, but the Republican-controlled Legislature did not act on the proposals.
 

Democrats Renew Push for Gun Safety Budget Provisions


In the wake of several mass shootings across the country over the past two weeks, Democrats renewed their call to action Thursday. State Sen. Melissa Agard (D-Madison), State Sen. LaTonya Johnson (D-Milwaukee), and Attorney General Josh Kaul called on Republican leaders to support universal background checks and extreme risk protection orders proposed in Gov. Evers’ 2021-23 Budget. 

“The fact is, the only place that addressing gun violence is a partisan issue is in the Capitol,” Agard said in a statement. “The people of Wisconsin know that those who skirt our gun laws using loopholes do a disservice to responsible gun owners everywhere. It's common sense to prevent domestic abusers and felons from purchasing weapons using the ‘gun show loophole.’ That’s why we need universal background checks for all firearm purchases like Gov. Evers is proposing.”
 

A 2nd Amendment Sanctuary State?


This week, State Rep. Treig Pronschinske (R-Mondovi) introduced a bill to make Wisconsin a “Second Amendment Sanctuary State.”

The legislation would ensure Wisconsin will not use public dollars or employees to assist the federal government if it tries to take away people's rights, according to a press release from Pronschinske announcing the bill Wednesday.

“In recent days, the federal government and many elected officials have made statements about infringing on the rights of legal gun owners,” Pronschinske said in a statement. “There are even federal bills introduced to do just that.”