MADISON, Wis. — On Tuesday, Wisconsin’s Democratic governor, Tony Evers, announced the creation of a new office to help prevent gun violence. This move comes a month after a school shooting near the state Capitol. However, Republicans quickly criticized the idea, saying it was not the right approach.
Evers also urged the Republican-controlled Legislature to pass new laws aimed at reducing violence. He said addressing gun violence should be a shared goal that goes beyond politics.
The Legislature has already turned down several of Evers’ proposals on gun control, including background checks for gun buyers. Evers argued that the shooting at Abundant Life Christian School last month showed the need for lawmakers to take action.
“Reducing crime and violence should be something everyone agrees on,” Evers said at a press event with gun control supporters, Democratic lawmakers, and local leaders from Madison, including the police chief, who had responded to the school shooting.
But Republicans weren’t in favor. Assembly Speaker Robin Vos criticized the plan, calling it a waste of time and money. He said that the police are the most effective tool for preventing violence.
Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu didn’t take a firm position, but he pointed out that Republicans have supported other programs to combat violence, like creating a state Office of School Safety.
Evers signed an executive order to establish the Office of Violence Prevention, which doesn’t require approval from lawmakers. The office will partner with local groups, including law enforcement, schools, and gun shops, to work on reducing gun violence.
Evers said the idea of creating this office was discussed before the school shooting, but the tragedy made him more determined to move forward with the plan.
Madison’s Police Chief, Shon Barnes, praised the new office, calling it an important step in addressing the root causes of violence in communities. He emphasized that no city is immune to gun violence.
The new office will focus on education, promoting safer communities, and providing grants to help reduce gun violence. Evers announced $10 million in federal funding to start the office and said he would ask for more state funding in his upcoming budget to keep it running for the next two years.
Republicans, including Vos, said they would oppose this funding request.
Evers also plans to introduce a new set of gun control and public safety proposals. Although Republicans are not supporting these measures, Democrats are hoping for more cooperation following the November elections, which reduced Republican majorities in the Legislature.
In the past, Republicans have rejected gun control proposals from Democrats, even though polls show that many Wisconsin residents support stricter gun laws. Evers has called multiple special sessions to pass laws like universal background checks and “red flag” laws that would allow authorities to take guns from people seen as dangerous, but these sessions have never led to action. Instead, Republicans have proposed bills to make it easier to access guns and suggested arming teachers. Evers vetoed some of these bills in 2022, such as one that would have allowed guns in school parking lots and churches.
