Several gun violence prevention advocates in Wisconsin expressed optimism about moving reforms forward following the November elections, which gave Democrats control of the governor’s office and both chambers of the state Legislature.
“For a long time, Wisconsin has had the public support for common-sense gun safety laws,” said Nicholas Matuszewski, executive director of WAVE Educational Fund, a nonpartisan gun violence prevention organization. “What we haven’t had is a Legislature willing to act on it. I think we’re finally approaching a moment where that can change.”
He said the opportunity to make meaningful progress is as strong as he’s seen during his time working on gun violence prevention.
Gov.-elect David Crowley previously told NNS that Wisconsin needs more mental health resources, opportunities for young people and community-based violence prevention.
A spokesperson for Crowley told NNS after the election that he “is focused on assembling an experienced transition team” and “will have more to share about his agenda following his inauguration as Wisconsin’s 47th governor.”
As Crowley prepares to take office on Jan. 4, here are four priorities highlighted by advocates.
1. “Red flag” laws
Darryl Morin, national president of Forward Latino, said red flag laws are among the gun violence prevention measures he expects will be prioritized.
“When the new Legislature is seated, we have every expectation that (red flag) legislation will be introduced and acted upon swiftly,” Morin said.
Forward Latino advocates for community empowerment and civil rights, while addressing issues including hate crimes and gun violence.
Extreme risk protection order laws, also known as “red flag” laws, allow courts to temporarily restrict firearm access when there’s evidence someone poses a danger to themselves or others.
More than 20 states have adopted versions of these laws.
“(Red flag laws) give families and law enforcement a way to intervene when someone is showing clear warning signs that they may hurt themselves or someone else,” Matuszewski said. “They are an important tool for preventing tragedies before they happen.”
2. Universal background checks
Universal background checks would generally extend existing background check requirements to private firearm sales, rather than just sales by federally licensed dealers.
Matuszewski called universal background checks an obvious starting point.
“There is no good reason why someone purchasing a firearm from a private seller should be subject to a different standard than someone purchasing from a licensed dealer,” he said.
Morin said there is broad public support for universal background checks in Wisconsin.
“Whether you’re Republican, Democrat, firearm owner, non-firearm owner – they have agreed on the need for some common-sense gun violence prevention reforms,” he said.
Although Wisconsin generally does not require background checks for private firearm sales, certain people – including those convicted of felonies – are prohibited from purchasing or possessing firearms.
3. Increased mental health services
Aziz Abdullah, co-founder of INPOWER, a Milwaukee organization involved in youth violence prevention, said reducing gun violence requires addressing more than firearm access.
He emphasized the need to help young people manage emotions and conflicts, particularly when guns are readily available.
“You have to teach people how to value first themselves – and then the life that they have and the people around them,” he said. “If young people are not in behavioral health programs who are at risk, we’re going to continue to see the same issue, right?”
He wants to see more Medicaid funding used to connect young people with mentors, therapy and other support.
4. Funding for community violence intervention
All three advocates emphasized sustaining and expanding community violence intervention programs, particularly as other funding expires.
“State investment in community violence intervention needs to be a major priority,” Matuszewski said. “We’ve seen the impact these programs can have in communities across Wisconsin, but that work requires consistent funding.”
He wants existing programs to be sustained, an expansion of successful approaches and to reestablish programs in parts of the state where funding is needed, particularly northeastern Wisconsin.
Morin also wants increased funding for community violence interruption programs and continued support for Wisconsin’s Office of Violence Prevention.
“That’s why we’re seeing the decrease in crime, overall crime and violence that we’re seeing today, because of the investments that were made there,” Morin said.
Abdullah also emphasized the need for sustained funding.
“If we could get Medicaid waivers to pay for literal door knocking to check on families and to see if anyone is in need of care based on what is already paid for – that would be a monumental change,” he said.
Other priorities identified by these advocates include stronger firearm storage laws, increased youth employment opportunities and closing gaps in restrictions related to domestic violence.
Jonathan Aguilar is a visual journalist at Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service who is supported through a partnership between CatchLight Local and Report for America.
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