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You are here: Home / Legislature / Wisconsin Assembly eliminates waiting period for handgun purchases

Wisconsin Assembly eliminates waiting period for handgun purchases

June 10, 2015 By Andrew Beckett

File photo

File photo

Legislation eliminating Wisconsin’s 48 hour waiting period on handgun purchases is on its way to the governor’s desk.

The state Assembly on Tuesday approved the bill on a voice vote. State Rep. Romaine Quinn (R-Rice Lake) said the change is possible because modern technology has eliminated the need to give the Department of Justice two days to conduct a background check. He noted that “10 percent of them are instant, and most on average take only about four hours…so it’s an unnecessary burden on those who can pass a background check and can legally own a firearm.”

There is no similar waiting period for rifle or shotgun purchases.

Democrats called the bill dangerous and argued that the wait provides a valuable cooling off period in domestic violence situations or if someone is considering suicide. State Rep. Lisa Subeck (D-Madison) said that, while some may claim that a waiting period is inconvenient, “if you aren’t planning on causing harm to somebody else or to yourself, there is absolutely no reason you can’t wait 48 hours to purchase a handgun.”

Republicans fired back that the legislation would also benefit those same victims and others who feel their personal safety is at risk, by allowing them to quickly get a handgun for protection. Rep. Jesse Kremer (R-Kewaskum, said “the person who’s going to be hopping in their car, going to Cabela’s to legally purchase a handgun, is that woman you talk about who may be in a domestic situation and can now protect herself today.”

The Senate approved the legislation earlier this year and it now heads to Governor Scott Walker. A spokeswoman for the governor said that Walker intends to sign the bill because he “supports laws that make it easier for law-abiding citizens to access firearms and difficult for criminals to obtain illegal firearms.”

The bill was among seven gun-related measures approved by the Assembly on Tuesday. Others included legislation allowing off-duty or retired police officers to carry guns on school grounds and a bill that requires the quick return of firearms seized during criminal investigations if charges are not filed.

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