MADISON, Wis. — Wisconsin’s Democratic governor on Tuesday created a new office dedicated to gun violence prevention, a month after a school shooting not far from the state Capitol.
Gov. Tony Evers also called on the Republican-controlled Legislature to pass a series of gun control and public safety measures, saying reducing violence must be a “shared priority that transcends politics.”
Congress has already rejected numerous gun control measures proposed by Evers, including universal background checks for gun purchases. But Evers said the shooting at Abundant Life Christian School last month showed lawmakers need to act.
“Reducing crime and violence is an issue that has bipartisan support,” Evers said at a news conference attended by gun control advocates, Democratic lawmakers and Madison’s mayor and police chief who responded to last month’s school shooting.
Evers signed an executive order establishing violence prevention offices across the state. He said the office will work with local partners, including law enforcement, nonprofits, school districts and gun store owners, to reduce gun violence.
The office will also develop public education campaigns and work to promote safer communities, Evers said. It will also provide grants to school districts, gun dealers, law enforcement, nonprofits and government agencies aimed at reducing violence, especially gun violence.
Evers announced $10 million in federal funding for the office. He said his state budget, which will be presented to the Legislature next month, will call for more state funding to sustain the office over the next two years.
Evers also said he would propose a comprehensive package on gun violence and public safety measures.
With the Republican majority in Congress shrinking after the November election, Evers and Democrats have said they hope for more bipartisanship and consideration of ideas that have been summarily rejected in the past. But after the Dec. 16 shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, which killed a student, a teacher and a 15-year-old gunman, Republicans backed away from supporting gun control measures backed by Democrats. Not expressed.
Wisconsin polls have repeatedly shown high public support for a variety of gun control measures.
Evers called a special session of the Legislature in 2019 to pass a universal gun background check bill and a “red flag” proposal that would allow judges to confiscate guns from people deemed a danger to themselves or others. The Republican Party immediately adjourned without discussing the measure. This was the first of 12 special sessions Evers has convened since 2019, none of which were successful.
Democrats have reintroduced this bill and more than 20 other gun safety bills over the past six years, but Republicans have repeatedly rejected them. Instead, Republicans have introduced bills that discuss expanding access to guns and arming teachers. Evers vetoed a Republican bill in 2022 that would have allowed concealed carry permit holders to carry guns in school playground vehicles and churches located on private school grounds.