Rep. Shelia Stubbs Attends White House Convening, Celebrates Biden-Harris Administration’s New Gun Violence Prevention Initiative

MADISON, WI –  After attending the White House State Legislative Convening on Gun Violence Prevention in Washington, D.C, Representative Shelia Stubbs (D-Madison) released the following statement:

“I would like to thank the White House for gathering together state legislators of diverse personal and geographic backgrounds to discuss common-sense gun legislation that is so desperately needed in our communities and our country. I was honored to be included in this monumental event and I am thrilled that Madame Vice President Kamala Harris is launching the Biden-Harris Safer States Initiative to provide states with additional support to reduce gun violence and save the lives of our community members. It was an incredible and unforgettable experience to hear Vice President Harris speak to us in person about her passion for this work.

We as Americans and as Wisconsinites are in a state of emergency. From the years 2011 to 2020, Wisconsin saw a 59% increase in gun deaths, far outpacing the nationwide increase of 33% during the same time period. Meanwhile, our rate of gun suicides increased by 20% compared to a 12% increase across the country. Gun homicides in our state increased by a staggering 189% in contrast to the 70% nationwide increase.

Our communities are not safe for even the most everyday of activities, like taking our kids to school, going shopping at a mall, or attending our houses of worship. Though mass shootings have sadly become our foremost idea of what gun violence is, we cannot forget about the one-on-one instances of interpersonal violence where one person claims another’s life with a firearm, or suicides by gun that are so prevalent in Wisconsin’s rural areas.

These brutal, life-taking events occur in every community in every state in this country. Across the board, we need to do better for ourselves and our neighbors by passing laws that prevent the senseless loss of life while still preserving the rights of responsible, law-abiding gun owners.

It was an eye-opening educational experience to be surrounded by elected officials from across the nation who have worked as diligently as I have to introduce gun violence prevention bills. Earlier this session, I introduced Assembly Bill 368, which would require background checks on every firearm sale. Next, I introduced Assembly Bill 718, which would mandate a 48-hour waiting period for the purchase of handguns. I also co-authored Assembly Bill 350, which would create an extreme risk protect temporary restraining order and injunction to prohibit someone at high risk for committing violence from possessing a firearm.

Discussing other legislators’ ideas to combat senseless gun violence, I was encouraged by the feeling that none of us are alone in our efforts to preserve the lives of our family, friends, and neighbors. We are truly all in this together. I am also encouraged by all the strides that Vice President Harris and the Justice Department are making to ensure a gun violence-free future for us all.

Thank you once again to the White House and Madame Vice President Kamala Harris for giving me the incredible opportunity to attend this convening of legislators across the nation. I have great hope that the brilliant ideas brought forth today will help us make our communities safer for years to come.”

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.