Legislators propose “Safe Summer” gun safety bill

The Wisconsin Gun Safety Coalition and gun safety advocates rolled out a “Safe Summer” bill package on Tuesday. Lawmakers said the package aims to promote what they call common sense gun safety legislation and improve safety for all Wisconsinites. The four bills being circulated for co-sponsorship include mandating universal background checks, reinstating a 48-hour waiting period for handgun purchases, creating an extreme risk protection order and banning ghost guns. The coalition argues these are proven, evidence-based measures that can be put in place to save lives from gun violence. The coalition said gun deaths in Wisconsin increased by 54% from 2014 to 2023, which is 20% above the national average. Officials noted the number of gun-involved suicides in Wisconsin also increased by 52% between 2014 and 2022.