Evers calls special session on gun violence

Posted at 1:45 p.m. on October 21, 2019 The Brillion News MADISON – Governor Tony Evers on Monday, October 21, signed an executive order calling the Legislature to meet in a special session on November 7, to address gun violence in the state of Wisconsin. “Since taking office in January, I have called on the Legislature to take action and pass commonsense gun safety reform time and time again, giving Republican leadership the opportunity to hear the people of our state and to do the right thing,” Gov. Evers said. “Today I am delivering on my promise to call a special session to address gun violence across our state and I’m calling on Republicans to work with Democrats to get this done.” The proposals outlined for the special session include: • Legislation to close the background check loophole by requiring universal background checks for all firearm purchases in the state of Wisconsin. • Legislation to create an extreme risk protection order (ERPO) process that will give family members and law enforcement officials the tools they need to intervene when an individual is at risk of harming themselves or others. Republican leadership did not sound optimistic about the legislature giving Evers what he wants in the way of gun control. Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, said: “A special session call will not change where my Assembly Republican colleagues and I stand on protecting the 2nd Amendment rights of Wisconsin citizens. As I have repeatedly said, we will not entertain proposals that infringe on our constitutional rights. Today’s call is another indication that Governor Evers stands ready to confiscate guns in our state.” Republican majorities control both houses of the state legislature.