MADISON (AP) — The state Senate has approved a Republican bill that would eliminate Wisconsin's decades-old 48-hour waiting period for handgun purchases.
The Senate passed the bill on a voice vote Tuesday. The proposal now goes to the state Assembly. Republican Gov. Scott Walker, a likely 2016 presidential candidate, supports the bill.
The waiting period was enacted in the mid-1970s. The bill's chief sponsor, Sen. Van Wanggaard, a Racine Republican, says the waiting period was meant to allow time for background checks but the checks now can be done far more quickly with computers and law-abiding citizens shouldn't have to wait for their guns.
Minority Democrats say eliminating the waiting period would allow angry people to get their hands on guns quickly.
Senator Lena Taylor (D-Milwaukee) issued this statement to FOX6 News:
Senator Chris Larson (D-Milwaukee) issued this statement: