Here & Now

What’s Next for Gun Control Special Session

Frederica Freyberg:

A Marquette Law poll in August found 80% approval for universal backgrounds checks and red flag laws in Wisconsin. Bearing that in mind, Governor Tony Evers this week called a special session for November 7 to take up both gun control measures. But Republican legislative leaders immediately threw cold water on the idea. For more on this special session tug-of-war between the governor and the legislature, we go to the State Capitol. That’s where Wisconsin Public Radio’s Capitol Reporter Laurel White joins us. Thanks for being here.

Laurel White:

Absolutely. Thanks for having me.

Frederica Freyberg:

In fairness, Speakers Vos and Senate Majority Fitzgerald — Leader Fitzgerald — did more than just throw cold water on this session.

Laurel White:

That’s right. So Governor Evers has been talking about these two specific proposals that he wants seen debated during the special session for several weeks now. Because of that, Republican leaders say they’re confident they know they don’t have the votes in either chamber to pass either of those bills. Specifically, Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald said his members haven’t been able to come up with any alternative plans that they would rather vote on. So he says they’re going to convene the special session and then immediately end it without having any debate or holding any votes.

Frederica Freyberg:

So gaveling in and gaveling out? And that is allowed, I trust?

Laurel White:

It is. So when the governor calls a special session of the legislature, he can’t compel them to vote on anything in particular or take any votes at all. The only thing he can compel them to do is begin and end that special session.

Frederica Freyberg:

Now, Republicans say that these measures are tantamount to confiscating guns. One of the measures would allow someone’s gun to be removed. Briefly describe what these measures would do.

Laurel White:

Under the red flag proposal, a judge could temporarily revoke someone’s gun rights if they are flagged by someone who knows them, a friend or a family member, as potentially dangerous to themselves or others. Under another proposal, the background check proposal, background checks for gun sales in Wisconsin would be expanded to private sales. Those sales currently aren’t subject to background checks. And private sales at gun shows as well.

Frederica Freyberg:

Evers said this, “At the end of the day, how many times can you go against 80% of the people of the state of Wisconsin in developing policy and essentially tell them to go to hell and at the same time expect to be re-elected. It doesn’t make sense to me.” Now this may not make sense to the governor but Scott Fitzgerald in particular would seem at this moment cannot consider gun control politically.

Laurel White:

That’s right. So the senate majority leader says that he’s very confident that he knows what his constituents want him to do regarding gun control. He says he has pretty profound concerns about Second Amendment rights and Due Process rights, about these two proposals, and he says there just isn’t the support there in a Republican-controlled legislature.

Frederica Freyberg:

And he has thrown his hat in the ring for the Fifth Congressional race?

Laurel White:

That’s right. He is the first Republican and only Republican as of right now to announce for that race.

Frederica Freyberg:

All right. Laurel White, thanks very much. And we’ll be talking with you soon.

Laurel White:

Absolutely. Thanks for having me.