AG Josh Kaul, Democratic leaders introduce gun safety bills at state capitol

MADISON, Wis. (CIVIC MEDIA) – Wisconsin Democrats and community advocates announced a package of gun safety legislation on Tuesday.

The bills would institute universal background checks, reinstitute a 48-hour waiting period for gun purchases, and add red flag laws. All proposals that have broad bipartisan support across the country, and have been introduced here before.

A coalition of groups — including Moms Demand Action and violence prevention workers — joined lawmakers in the Assembly chambers to introduce the package.

Gun violence is the number one cause of death for American children. It’s been that way for years now.

“To every parent … whether you’re here in Madison, or in Green Bay, or Eau Claire, or La Crosse, or Superior, I hope you feel hopeful. Because this package is for you,” said Lindsay Buscher from Moms Demand Action Wisconsin to a room of lawmakers and supporters on the Assembly floor.

From 2014 to 2023, the gun death rate increased 34% in the US.
But here in Wisconsin, it rose 54%.

During that time, Republicans got rid of the 48-hour waiting period to buy handguns, which had been in place for about four decades.

“As anyone could’ve predicted, and many of us did, gun violence has risen as a result of it,” said State Senator Chris Larson.

Darryl Morin, CEO of Forward Latino, presented some statistics.

“In 2022, right here in the state of Wisconsin we had 830 gun deaths. 277 of those were homicides. The overwhelming majority … 529 were Wisconsinites who took their own life.”

Since Evers took office, Democrats have introduced dozens of bills they say would make Wisconsin safer.

Republicans control which bills get hearings, and which bills get passed. So the big question is: will Republicans get on board?

“Some of them say they support some of these measures. That’s why we have public hearings … it’s shameful that none of these have been brought up,” says State Senator Deb Andraca.

Speaker Robin Vos’s office did not return a request for comment.