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Assembly Republicans’ Day of Inaction and Distraction PDF Print E-mail
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Written by Wisconsin Assembly, Aaron Collins   
Friday, 08 November 2019 13:56

guns-domestic-violenceGovernor Evers and legislative Democrats focus on safety while Republicans play politics.


MADISON – On Thursday, Assembly Republicans rejected Governor Evers’ call for a special session on gun safety.

The special session called for universal background checks on all firearm purchases and the creation of Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPO). Both bills are supported by over 80% of Wisconsinites. They are also data-driven policies that have been proven to work in both red and blue states.

Assembly Democratic Leader Gordon Hintz (D-Oshkosh) released the following statement on the Republican refusal to take up these basic public safety measures:

gordon_hintz“Gun violence is a major issue that impacts every corner of our state, and I was encouraged when Governor Evers called on the legislature to take action to reduce incidents of gun violence in Wisconsin,” Rep. Hintz stated. “The failed veto override attempts today were nothing more than cover for Republican cowardice on the firearms issue. But these political games won’t prevent the next mass shooting or save a loved one from suicide. While our children are forced to endure active shooter drills in school, Wisconsin Republicans choose inaction on the pressing issue of gun violence in our state.”

Since the beginning of 2018, 12 states and Washington DC have passed Extreme Risk laws, bringing the total number of states with these laws to 17. In Indiana in the 10 years after the state passed its Extreme Risk law in 2005, the state’s firearm suicide rate decreased by 7.5 percent.

Similarly, in the absence of a comprehensive background check system, criminals and other prohibited persons can exploit loopholes in our state laws to obtain guns. This loophole has impacted us right here in Wisconsin. In 2018, in Appleton, a man who was prohibited from purchasing a gun because he was out on bond for a firearm related felony domestic violence case purchased a firearm from an unlicensed seller on Armslist.com without a background check. The next day he used the gun to kill his wife.

“We, as a state, are better than inaction. Everyone in Wisconsin deserves to live without the fear of gun violence, and state government has a role to play in keeping our friends and neighbors safe," said Hintz. "Extreme risk protection orders and background checks are a common sense, proven policies to address gun violence while still respecting due process and 2nd amendment rights. Consistent with the rest of this session, Republicans missed another opportunity to provide a win for the people of our state.”

Last Updated on Friday, 08 November 2019 14:10
 
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