Governor Evers Creates Office of Violence Prevention to Address Gun Violence

MADISON, Wis. (CIVIC MEDIA) – Governor Tony Evers signed an executive order Tuesday creating the Wisconsin Office of Violence Prevention. 

It comes about a month after the deadly shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison. Two people were killed and six others were hurt. Two of the students shot are still in the hospital in fair condition. The shooter was a 17-year-old girl, and investigators found she died by suicide. 

The press conference Tuesday was packed, it was tough for people up front to even move. There were advocates, police officers, healthcare workers, lawmakers, local leaders and even students in attendance. Many of them wore orange, the color used to raise awareness of gun violence. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, gun violence is the leading cause of death for kids in America. 

“The rate of gun deaths has increased 54% between 2014 and 2023 in Wisconsin, compared to 34% increase nationwide over that same period,” the governor said. 

Data from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Health shows Black children are 18 times more likely to die from guns than white children. 

Gun Violence Programs in Madison

Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway was visibly moved to be there. 

“I’m actually feeling quite emotional to be in the presence of a leader who has the bravery to take on this issue and to propose the things that are right and needed in our state and for our communities,” she said, her voice cracking. 

Madison has a Violence Prevention Team, which is a partnership between law enforcement and health officials. Rhodes-Conway said the team served more than 100 people who are affected by gun violence.

“My team in Madison works on addressing the root causes of violence as well as responding in the aftermath of violence in our community,” Rhodes-Conway said. “Our Violence Prevention Team is directly supporting the impacted [Abundant Life Christian School] families, and will continue to do so for months, if not years to come.” 

The money to pay for Madison’s program came from American Rescue Plan Act funding.

“Violence is a complex issue that affects communities everywhere, including your own. No city, no matter the size, reputation or claim to fame, is immune from gun violence,” said Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes. “We must recognize that to truly safeguard our neighborhoods, we need a comprehensive understanding of violence that goes beyond traditional policing.” 

Proposal Needs Republicans’ Support

The governor’s executive order gives the Office of Violence Prevention $10 million in funding. That money is excess from the federal government’s American Rescue Plan Act. 

His next state budget will set up sustained funding for the office. It will offer grants to communities and agencies working to prevent violence on the local level.

Evers said that budget will also include his most robust gun law reforms yet. Wisconsin hasn’t had new gun laws in years, and that’s because state Republicans have shot them down. Democrats have proposed at least 30 bills, but without Republican support, they can’t pass. 

“Unfortunately, every time I introduce common sense proposals like universal background checks and red flag laws, Republicans have rejected my efforts, including a special session call, despite the fact that these policies have widespread public support, including from gun owners,” Evers said. 

A 2022 Spectrum News/Siena College poll of Wisconsinites showed 87% of them supported universal background checks.