Assembly Democrats announced in a press conference Thursday the delivery of more than 16,500 signatures to state lawmakers, advocating for legislation that would require universal background checks on all gun sales in Wisconsin.
U.S. law currently requires background checks for the gun purchases from federally licensed dealers, which excludes sales by private sellers at gun shows, flea markets and transactions over the Internet. If approved, Wisconsin would become the seventh state to require universal background checks.
The Wisconsin Anti-Violence Effort, a grassroots organization which aims to reduce gun violence, presented signatures as part of a petition to require background checks on gun sales.
Citing recent polls, WAVE Executive Director Jeri Bonavia said 80 to 90 percent of Wisconsin citizens are in support of background checks. Bonavia also said strong public support is rare for policies that come before the Legislature.
“Our legislators are supposed to be there supporting us, not lobbying organizations from the state of Virginia, so it really is reprehensible that they are siding with the pro-gun lobby rather than the citizens of Wisconsin,” Bonavia said.
State Sen. Nikiya Harris, D-Milwaukee, introduced the Universal Background Check bill in spring 2013 in response to escalating gun violence in Milwaukee.
Harris said an increase of 18 percent in the homicide rate and two mass shootings in Milwaukee mean it is time for the state to act on the issue, according to the press release.
“Enough of putting public safety on the back burner,” Harris said in an email. “Wisconsin families should feel safe in their homes and neighborhoods.”
State Rep. Terese Berceau, D-Madison, highlighted the fact that background checks are already required from anyone who goes to a licensed dealer, but not for those who buy online.
“It’s not about gun control,” Berceau said. “It’s about closing loopholes.”
Berceau said she and other authors of the bill have written letters to state Rep. Joel Kleefisch, R-Oconomowoc, chair of the Committee on Criminal Justice but have failed to receive any response.
“Its been a very undemocratic session because we can’t even have a hearing on something that the public supports,” Berceau said. “That’s because the [National Rifle Association] is very important to many legislators in terms of their support and the NRA agenda.”
