Universal Background Checks Fail on Party Line in WI State Assembly
90% of Americans support this modest safety check, but Wisconsin’s Assembly Republicans refused to pass it.
MADISON – Yesterday, February 20th, Wisconsin State Representative Jonathan Brostoff (D-Milwaukee) joined fellow Assembly Democrats in forcing a vote on universal background checks for firearm sales on the Assembly floor.
Currently, background checks are only required under federal law for sales conducted by licensed dealers, allowing people who would not pass to make purchases at gun shows and through online sales. Yesterday, the Wisconsin State Assembly voted on whether Wisconsin should require universal background checks for gun sales. 90% of Americans support this modest safety check, but Wisconsin’s Assembly Republicans refused to pass it.
Rep. Brostoff released the following statement after Wisconsin Assembly Republicans voted against this common-sense, live-saving measure:
“In light of the recent tragedy in Florida, and the hundreds of other tragedies that have happened over the years at the end of guns, it is ridiculous and unconscionable that my colleagues across the aisle refuse to legislate common sense,” Brostoff stated. “It is heartbreaking and appalling that this is a reality in American society. Our children are not safe at school. Our community members are not safe in public spaces. And Republicans collect money from the NRA – which collects money from gun manufacturers – to ignore the problem.”
In states that require universal background checks, there is an around 50% decrease in gun deaths for both women in abusive relationships and police officers in the line of duty. In the last 20 years, the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) has blocked more than 2.5 million attempted purchases.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
More about the Gun Violence
- Senator Agard Introduces Firearm Safety Bills with Legislative Democratic Colleagues - State Sen. Melissa Agard, Senate Democratic Leader - Oct 26th, 2023
- AG Kaul to U.S. Attorney General Garland: Firearm Regulations Must Include Ghost Guns - Wisconsin Department of Justice - Aug 20th, 2021
- Op Ed: Legal Firearms Used in Many Mass Shootings - O. Ricardo Pimentel - May 26th, 2021
- Bipartisan legislation a positive step forward for gun reform - Mayor Cavalier Johnson - May 17th, 2021
- Bipartisan Bill Bans Guns For Those Convicted of Domestic Violence - Erik Gunn - May 14th, 2021
- Club Midtown isn’t a thing - Mayor Cavalier Johnson - May 5th, 2021
- County Executive David Crowley Statement on Recent Acts of Gun Violence - County Executive David Crowley - May 4th, 2021
- Republicans Continue to Show their True Colors with Upcoming Budget Plans: The Time for Action is Now - State Sen. Melissa Agard, Senate Democratic Leader - May 3rd, 2021
- Continued gun violence underscores the need for change - Mayor Cavalier Johnson - May 3rd, 2021
- Senator Agard: Statement on Shooting Tragedy at the Oneida Casino Complex - State Sen. Melissa Agard, Senate Democratic Leader - May 2nd, 2021
Read more about Gun Violence here
Recent Press Releases by Rep. Jonathan Brostoff
Why can’t we vote on this subject?
Thus another reminder that SCOTUS, through its Citizens United decision, has negated the voice of the people. Legislation is now bought and sold to special interest money. We no longer have free speech. We have to pay for the right to be heard by those who are supposedly elected to represent us.