As Legislators Consider Bill That Would Repeal Wisconsin’s Permit Requirement, Governor Quoted as Calling Current Requirement “Appropriate”
Recent Polling Shows 91 percent of Wisconsin Residents Support Permit Requirement; Wisconsin Law Enforcement Leaders Have Also Shared Strong Support of Current Permit System
MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, part of Everytown for Gun Safety, today issued the following response after the Wisconsin State Journal reported that Governor Scott Walker signaled his continued support for the state’s concealed handgun permit requirement. “I think the law we have right now is a good law. The people that talk to me about it say they like where it’s at,” the paper quoted the governor as saying. “We’re one of the larger number of permits in the country and it works well that way. People can protect themselves and their families and what I’ve heard from folks is they are happy with the law as it is.”
The governor’s comments come a day after a Wisconsin Senate committee held a hearing on SB 169, a reckless bill that would eliminate Wisconsin’s permit requirement and allow people to carry hidden, loaded handguns in public without a permit or safety training. Nineteen groups have registered opposition to the bill, including the Wisconsin’s Professional Police Association, Association of Wisconsin School Administrators, the city of Milwaukee and the Wisconsin Council of Churches. More information on SB 169 is available here.
Recent polling conducted by Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund and the Wisconsin chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America shows that 91 percent of respondents – including 86 percent of gun owners – said they support the current Wisconsin law. Additionally, this bill has received widespread criticism from Wisconsin’s law enforcement officials. Earlier this week, The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s editorial board shared its concerns as well.
STATEMENT FROM CHRISTINA KRASOVICH, VOLUNTEER CHAPTER LEADER WITH THE WISCONSIN CHAPTER OF MOMS DEMAND ACTION FOR GUN SENSE IN AMERICA:
“We’re relieved to hear that Gov. Walker, like the overwhelming majority of Wisconsinites from across the political spectrum, supports our state’s concealed handgun permit requirement. Our state legislators should heed the concerns of law enforcement and reject any attempt to dismantle this common-sense public safety standard.”