MADISON, Wis. — In a decisive move to combat gun violence, Wisconsin’s Democratic governor has established a new office dedicated to this critical issue, following a tragic school shooting near the state Capitol last month.
Governor Tony Evers urged the Republican-controlled Legislature to swiftly enact a series of gun control and public safety measures, emphasizing that minimizing violence should be a bipartisan priority.
Despite previous rejections from the Legislature of various gun control proposals, including universal background checks, Evers highlighted the urgent need for legislative action in light of the recent school shooting at Abundant Life Christian School.
“Addressing crime and violence must transcend political divides and receive genuine bipartisan support,” Evers stated at a press conference, flanked by advocates for gun control, Democratic lawmakers, and local officials involved in responding to the recent incident.
Evers signed an executive order to launch a statewide office of violence prevention, designed to collaborate with local law enforcement, nonprofits, school districts, and firearm retailers to effectively reduce gun violence.
The office will also create public education campaigns aimed at fostering safer communities and will allocate grants intended to decrease violence, particularly gun-related incidents, to schools, firearm dealers, law enforcement agencies, and nonprofits.
Evers announced an allocation of $10 million in federal funding to support the new office, with plans to request additional state funding in his upcoming budget proposal to continue its operations over the next two years.
Furthermore, Evers is set to propose a comprehensive package of gun violence prevention and public safety initiatives.
Following a reduction in Republican majorities in the Legislature after the November elections, Evers and Democrats express hope for increased bipartisanship regarding previously dismissed gun safety measures. Unfortunately, since the December 16 shooting incident, Republican leaders have yet to support any gun control initiatives championed by Democrats.
Public opinion polls in Wisconsin consistently show strong support for various gun control measures among residents.
In 2019, Evers convened a special session of the Legislature to push for universal background checks and a “red flag” law enabling judges to remove firearms from individuals deemed dangerous. However, Republicans adjourned immediately without considering the proposals, marking the first of many unsuccessful special sessions called by Evers since then.
Over the past six years, Democrats have reintroduced numerous gun safety bills, but Republicans have routinely declined to entertain them. In contrast, Republican proposals have focused on expanding gun access and potential measures to arm teachers. Evers vetoed Republican bills last year that aimed to permit concealed carry firearms in vehicles on school grounds and private school churches.
