Vos believes little can be done to stop mass shootings.
MADISON - The leader of the Wisconsin Assembly said Tuesday there is little the state can do about mass shootings other than arrest the perpetrators after they commit their crimes.
Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos of Rochester made his comment after a string of shootings around the country, including ones that killed two in Oconomowoc, eight in Atlanta and 10 in Boulder.
Democrats disputed his contention, saying legislation to expand background checks would help stem gun violence. They called for action after the killings.
But Vos said he did not see a reason to require background checks for all gun purchases because checks are already required for most of them.
“I have not seen exactly how in the circumstances that they described that the guns were obtained, but if they were done lawfully, it seems like we already have a process and if someone chooses to break the law, there is very little that we can do besides arrest them after they’ve committed the act,” he said at a news conference.
Asked if he thought more background checks would make people safer, Vos said, “I have no idea,” but added that he had not seen any data that suggested that it would.
“We already have the system in place where the vast majority of weapons already go through that background check process and that’s I think the one that we should focus on as opposed to potentially some of those that we don’t necessarily know,” Vos said.
Background checks are required for sales from federally licensed dealers, but not for sales between private individuals, such as some of those that are arranged at gun shows and online.
Across the Capitol, Democratic state Sen. Melissa Agard of Madison urged her colleagues on the Senate floor to require background checks in more instances in light of the recent shootings.
“This is an epidemic,” she said. “It’s a public health crisis and has to stop. It’s time to get serious about real, life-saving gun reform policies right now. We must treat these domestic terrorists who are inflicting gun violence on all of us as if it’s a national crisis.”
“Legislative action has been proven to save lives,” she said.
Republicans who control the Legislature have long opposed any new gun regulations. A 2019 poll by Marquette University Law School found 80% of Wisconsin voters backed requiring background checks for all gun purchases.
Democratic Gov. Tony Evers in 2019 called a special legislative session to expand background checks and approve what supporters call red-flag legislation that would allow guns to be temporarily taken from those who are deemed dangerous.
Republican lawmakers shut down the special session seconds after convening it.