Republicans Ignore 80 Percent of Wisconsinites, Majority of Gun Owners, Refuse to Take Up Gun Safety Reform
Despite overwhelming public support for these proposals—including the support of the majority of Wisconsin gun owners—Republicans ignored the will of the people and refused to take up the bills.
MADISON — On Oct. 21, 2019, Gov. Tony Evers signed Executive Order #54 calling for legislators to meet in a special session today, Thurs., Nov. 7, 2019, on commonsense gun safety reform proposals relating to universal background checks and extreme risk protection orders. Despite overwhelming public support for these proposals—including the support of the majority of Wisconsin gun owners—Republicans ignored the will of the people and refused to take up the bills. Gov. Evers responded with the following statement:
“Republicans essentially just told 80 percent of Wisconsinites and a majority of gun owners, ‘go jump in a lake,’ because they didn’t have the courage to take a vote—much less have a dialogue—on two bills about universal background checks and extreme risk protection orders that we know can save lives. And they did so at their own peril because now Republicans have to go back to their districts and explain to their constituents why they refused to even do their jobs today.”
Office of the Governor
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 - Dane County Executive Melissa Agard - 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 - David Crowley - May 4th, 2021
- Republicans Continue to Show their True Colors with Upcoming Budget Plans: The Time for Action is Now - Dane County Executive Melissa Agard - 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 - Dane County Executive Melissa Agard - May 2nd, 2021
Read more about Gun Violence here
Mentioned in This Press Release
Recent Press Releases by Gov. Tony Evers
Gov. Evers Announces Wisconsin Ends Fiscal Year With $3.3 Billion Balance, Record-High $2.1 Billion ‘Rainy Day’ Fund
Oct 15th, 2026 by Gov. Tony EversDespite continued national economic turbulence, Wisconsin maintains strong fiscal position, reaching seven consecutive years of record-high General Fund balances during Gov. Evers’ tenure
Gov. Evers, WEDC Announce Hewlett Packard Enterprise Expansion in Chippewa Falls, Expected to Create 75 New Jobs
Oct 15th, 2026 by Gov. Tony EversEvers Administration supports HPE expansion with an additional up to $5.1 million in performance-based tax credits, builds on efforts to bolster Wisconsin’s 21st-century workforce and economy
Gov. Evers, Doc Celebrate Opening of New Juvenile Corrections Facility in Milwaukee, Marking Significant Milestone in Efforts to Close Lincoln Hills and Copper Lake Schools for Good
Oct 14th, 2026 by Gov. Tony EversFirst-of-its-kind facility for youth in Wisconsin is designed to keep kids close to home, while bolstering mentorship, education, and treatment, bringing state closer to closing youth facilities, and moving forward statewide corrections realignment plan












