Wisconsin is one step closer to eliminating its 48-hour waiting period to get a handgun.
Senate Republicans approved the bill on Tuesday, not buying Democrats’ warning that the change could lead to more violence. Deadly shootings have skyrocketed in Milwaukee in recent weeks.
Wisconsin’s 48-hour waiting period for handgun purchases has been in place for four decades.
But Republican Sen. Van Wanggaard says the requirement is outdated because the state can now conduct background checks in a matter of hours.
He says the change will eliminate the need to make two trips to a gun store.
“I won’t tell you how many firearms I have at home, but I have a few. And I would say that when I go purchase a firearm, it’s really inconvenient and it’s an expense to me and it takes time out of my day and my time is very valuable and I have to travel to there, but what about the people in the outer districts in the state of Wisconsin that have to travel for hours?” Wanggaard says.
Wanggaard cites studies that he says show waiting periods do not prevent gun crimes, and argues waiting periods can hurt victims of domestic violence.
“Victims are not able to defend themselves because if they go to purchase a firearm in Wisconsin, they have to wait 48 hours even though the Department of Justice does more of a search than any other state in the United States in pinging 11 different databases and dozens of other venues to determine if this person can lawfully possess a firearm,” he says.
Democrats dispute claims that waiting periods have no benefit. Sen. Dave Hansen proposed an amendment to the bill that would have retained the 48-hour waiting period for people with standing charges of domestic violence.
“Just this morning we received a call from a constituent who said that current waiting period of 48 hours saved his mother’s life. A relative was having mental health issues and tried to purchase a gun. Thanks to the waiting period the family was able to get the family member help before she was able to buy a gun and harm their mother,” Hansen says.
Democrats also tied the waiting period issue to spiraling gun violence in Milwaukee, where dozens of people have been shot to death this year, including children.
Sen. Nikiya Harris Dodd asked for expanded background checks to help prevent guns from reaching violent people who can’t legally possess them.
“If you don’t want to support this amendment today for me, do it for these children. These children will never be able to grow up and have a family, go to college, own a home, graduate the high school, nonetheless. Do it for them,” Dodd says.
Republicans rejected the Democrats’ amendments and sent the bill ending the handgun waiting period to the Assembly. Gov. Walker has said he supports it.
