"To reduce gun violence:" Lawmakers to introduce bill requiring background checks on ALL gun purchases

MADISON (WITI) -- Senator Nikiya Harris Dodd (D - Milwaukee) and Representative Terese Berceau (D - Madison) announced Thursday, April 23rd they will introduce legislation to require criminal background checks for all firearms sales.

Currently background checks are required only for firearm purchases from federally-licensed dealers.  Many people who sell firearms are not federally licensed.

“Since 2013, when we first introduced this bill, 226 people in Wisconsin died due to homicide by firearms.  When do we say enough is enough?  This Legislature has done practically nothing to reduce gun violence,” Berceau said. “Right now, law-abiding citizens who want to buy a handgun undergo a background check, but criminals can get a free pass by going to the Internet where no background check is required. When do we say: This has to stop?”

In a 2012 John Hopkins study, nearly 80 percent of inmates surveyed who used handguns in their crimes indicated they acquired the weapons through transactions with individuals who were not licensed gun dealers.  In addition, over 80 percent of Wisconsin residents support background checks. Berceau and Harris Dodd are urging state legislators to listen to their constituents.

“Every week, we lose more men and women to gun violence in Milwaukee,” said Harris Dodd.  “My constituents are sick and tired of having conversations around violence and are looking for answers.  Background checks are easy, quick, and commonsense. Simply put, background checks save lives.”

LRB-1710 requires background checks on the sale of all firearms, with certain exceptions, including gifts, bequests, or inheritances among family members.

Co-sponsors of the bill include: Senator Dave Hansen (D-Green Bay), and Representatives Mandela Barnes (D-Milwaukee), Evan Goyke (D-Milwaukee), La Tonya Johnson (D-Milwaukee), and Melissa Sargent (D-Madison).