Throughout a week characterized by extended partisan disagreement, one action was notably quick and to the point: rejecting Evers’ gun control measures.
In a special sessions attempt to enact gun measures ordered by Gov. Tony Evers, GOP leaders promptly ended official debate on the matter.
Evers’ gun control measures include background checks for all firearm purchases in the state and an Extreme Risk Protection order process to law enforcement officials and family members to remove the firearm(s) of individuals a judge deems to be a danger to themselves or others.
GOP leaders criticized the content of the bills, citing a lack of understanding of gun violence which caused a prompt response from Evers and fellow Democrats.
"I don't think these bills solve the issue of gun violence, there are many other things that play into that, including mental illness," Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, R-Juneau, said.
The Senate and Assembly sessions lasted 30 and 15 seconds respectively, according to WPR.
Meanwhile, Evers and fellow Democrats have cited popular opinion polls showing support for increased gun legislation.
“As you know, these two proposals have received support form 80 percent and 81 percent respectively of Wisconsinites across out state,” Evers said in a letter to Fitzgerald and Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester.
Other democrats including Senate Minority Leader Jennifer Shilling, D-La Crosse, called on their Republican colleagues to come forward and talk about the issues.
“The public is demanding action on these issues ... we are answering the call of the special session from Gov. Evers," said Shilling. "We are here, we are ready to vote."
