Gov. Walker To End Decades-Old Waiting Period For Handguns
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Gov. Scott Walker planned to sign a pair of bills that would loosen Wisconsin's guns laws Wednesday, legislation that had passed the Republican-controlled Legislature before last week's fatal shootings at a South Carolina church.
The all-but-certain Republican presidential candidate planned to sign bills to eliminate the state's 48-hour waiting period for handgun purchases and allow off-duty, retired and out-of-state police officers to carry firearms on school grounds.
Both bills had bipartisan support when passing earlier this month. Walker planned to sign them at the Milwaukee County sheriff's department.
The timing of the bill signing comes amid a renewed debate over gun control and race relations after nine black people were shot and killed during Bible study at a Charleston, South Carolina, church. A white man faces multiple murder charges. Walker's office announced the bill signing Tuesday, but did not immediately respond to an email asking when it had been scheduled. After June 30, the measures would have become law without his signature.
Walker denounced the shootings on Twitter, saying they were done by a "racist and evil man."
The governor has been an outspoken supporter of gun rights, has a 100 percent rating from the National Rifle Association and spoke at the NRA's annual meeting in April. Walker previously made Wisconsin the 49th state to legalize concealed carry — even in state buildings — and signed a "castle doctrine" bill giving homeowners more legal protections if they shoot an intruder.
Ten states and the District of Columbia impose some form of waiting period for buying handguns, according to the Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence. Wisconsin's 48-hour period has been in effect since 1976.
Supporters of eliminating the waiting period said it'll better allow people to protect themselves, while opponents said it would lead to people caught up in fits of rage or depression to obtain weapons quickly. Supporters also say it inconveniences law-abiding citizens, that background checks can be completed in hours and women would be able to get guns faster to protect themselves and their families from abusers.
Backers of allowing off-duty and retired police officers to carry concealed weapons at schools said it would create another line of defense for students and teachers if a shooter attacks. Opponents said allowing non-uniformed officers to carry guns at schools could scare students.
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