Right now Milwaukee could use some help from the state Legislature

Sadly, our city is experiencing a major crisis with a significant uptick in reckless drivers on our streets, and law-abiding citizens are afraid to drive on city roadways because of those reckless drivers and because they are worried about getting shot if they are unfortunate enough to be involved in a fender bender.

Chronic reckless drivers lack defensive driving skills, and are more likely not to possess a valid driver’s license or car insurance. They are breaking the law and the state is allowing this chaos to continue on our public roadways.

I am outraged by the multiple reports of women and children getting shot while driving in Milwaukee. The insane, senseless gun violence has no respect of person or place. It is due in large part to illegal gun sales (such as straw purchases and online sales) that our city streets are now home to armed criminals.

As a former State Senator, I introduced bills to close the dangerous loophole of straw sales, as well as to put in place requirements to enforce background checks for online sales — but to no benefit. These life-saving measures continue to fall on deaf ears in Madison.

Therefore, I am calling on the state Legislature to end the negligent practices that allow for nonlaw abiding individuals to purchase a motor vehicle and/or illegal firearms without proof of a valid driver’s license or insurance.

Where is the empathy for another human life? Why should law-abiding citizens continue to pay the price for people who do not obey the law?

Our state legislators must take a stand against these injustices and help us protect our children and families.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.