WI Attorney General Discusses Special Session on Gun Violence

A special legislative session called by Governor Tony
Evers is scheduled for this Thursday that is aimed at addressing gun violence.
The Governor signed an executive order last month asking the legislature to act
on two proposals: one which would require universal background checks for all
gun purchases in Wisconsin, the other would create “red flag” laws that would
give family members and law enforcement the ability to intervene when a person
is at risk of harming themselves or others.

Despite opposition from Republicans, Wisconsin Attorney
General Josh Kaul tells us a majority of Wisconsinites support the new laws,
and he hopes that the legislature will listen to the people of the state. “What
I’m hoping is that people speak up about this, they contact their legislators,
and they let them know that it’s time to put public safety first on these
issues,” Kaul said. “If we keep putting pressure on folks, they’re hopefully
going to take these issues up eventually.” Kaul cites a recent Marquette
University Law School Poll where 80 percent of people said they support
background checks, and 81 percent showed support for “red flag” laws.

Both Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald and Assembly
Speaker Robin Vos have both voiced their opposition to the special session, and
it’s expected that the session will be opened, but then be immediately
adjourned.