MADISON – Today, the Wisconsin State Legislature was in session voting on primarily crime-related legislation. Representative Joers released the following statement:
“Wisconsin Republican’s tough on crime narrative fails to adequately address the actual issues impacting Wisconsinites. There is no question that we need to be taking steps to make Wisconsin safer, but the legislation passed today will not accomplish that goal. We need solutions that address the root of the problem in an intentional manner instead of carelessly passing legislation that does little to increase the safety of Wisconsinites.
“I am proud to support Governor Evers’ budget because it takes steps that will actually improve the safety of our communities. Through investing in mental health resources, education funding, and shared revenue, we can begin to be proactive on the issues that ultimately lead to crime and in doing so create a safer Wisconsin.”
One of the bills passed by the Assembly today was Assembly Bill 58, relating to mandatory minimum sentences for felons who illegally possess a firearm. The Assembly Democratic Caucus introduced an amendment that would have included in this legislation a requirement for conducting background checks on firearm purchases. Representative Joers voted in favor of this amendment.
“Gun violence is one of the most serious issues facing our country today, and the best way to prevent felons from obtaining firearms is to be proactive about having universal background checks on firearm sales. It is solutions like these that we need to be prioritizing instead of retroactive punishment that does little to decrease gun violence. If Republicans were serious about decreasing gun violence, they would have taken the necessary steps that are supported by a broad majority of Wisconsinites and passed our amendment to require background checks on firearm sales and save lives.”
