What to know about proposed gun laws
MADISON - Gun control is again in the spotlight after weekend shootings in Texas and Ohio left dozens dead and more than 50 wounded.
And while Democratic Gov. Tony Evers has signaled support for universal background checks and so-called redflag laws that limit who can have guns, Wisconsin Republicans have shown few signs of doing anything on the issue so far.
Here is what you need to know about these laws.
What are red-flag laws?
Red-flag laws authorize courts to issue orders allowing law enforcement officials to temporarily remove firearms from people who appear to be dangerous to themselves or others.
These court orders are often requested by family or friends worried about the mental health of a loved one who has expressed suicidal thoughts or a desire to shoot people. Police may also make the requests.
The removals are temporary but can be extended at a court hearing. Individuals subject to the order are also barred from purchasing firearms.
How many states have them?
At least 15 states have some form of red-flag laws, which are sometimes known as “extreme risk protection orders,” according to USA Today. Only five states had these laws before the 2018
mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.
Connecticut in 1999 was the first state to pass a red-flag law after a shooting that left four dead at the state’s lottery headquarters. The gunman had shown signs of depression before the attack, and people who knew him said he was troubled, according to media reports at the time.
Illinois, Indiana, New York and California are also among the states with some form of red-flag laws. Under Illinois’ law, which was approved by Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner in July
2018, law enforcement, family members, dating partners and roommates can petition courts for the individual restrictions. Indiana allows only law enforcement to make the requests.
Studies show these laws have reduced suicide rates. A 2016 study on Connecticut’s law revealed that for every 10 to 20 gun seizures, there was one fewer suicide.
Proponents of the red-flag laws say they will help prevent mass shootings by taking guns away from people most likely to carry them out. But those in opposition say that laws infringe on Second Amendment rights.
Wisconsin Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, indicated on Twitter Tuesday he doesn’t support such laws.
“I will not entertain proposals to take away second amendment rights or due process,” he wrote. “Hopefully, we can find common ground on the real problem by addressing the mental health issues facing Wisconsin.”
What about background checks? Federal law currently requires background checks for guns sold through licensed dealers. But gun-control advocates are pushing to require these checks for nearly all types of purchases.
The U.S. House passed a bill in February that would prohibit most person-toperson firearm transfers unless a background check can be conducted. The Senate has not taken it up.
President Donald Trump on Monday called for expanded background checks and a red-flag law after the shootings over the weekend.
Wisconsin voters tend to support background checks. A Marquette University Law School poll from March 2018 found that 81% of voters support background checks. Seventy-eight percent of gun-owning households also favored background checks.
The state’s legislative leaders have long opposed expanded background checks and haven’t said whether the weekend shootings changed their views. They are set to meet next week with Evers to talk about the issue.