Senate Eliminates Waiting Period for Handguns
Source: M&R Glasgow via wiki commons
By Felicity Bosk
The law that required a 48 hour waiting period for buying handguns in Wisconsin has been eliminated with Senate Bill 35. The waiting period was established in 1976 when background checks could not be conducted instantly. Today, background checks can be done within one hour.
The Department of Justice checks up to 11 databases to find out if the purchaser is legally allowed to carry a handgun. Now, once the DOJ can confirm the receipt of request from the purchaser, the handgun may begiven to them.
Protection of Second Amendment rights goal of legislation say bill authors
The bill, which was authored by Senator Van Wanggaard (R-Racine) and Representative Romaine Quinn (R-Rice Lake), is meant to protect second amendment rights.
Governor Scott Walker and Wanggaard are both “A” rated politicians by the National Rifle Association. In the 2014 election, Walker was endorsed by the NRA. Wanggaard plans to while in office “continue to fight for Constitutional Carry with an optional permit for reciprocity purpose” and to “fight all efforts to restrict your 2nd Amendment rights.”
Also signed into law on June 24 is Senate Bill 70, which allows off duty law enforcement officers, former law enforcement officers, and out-of-state law enforcement officers to carry firearms on or within 1000 feet of school grounds. Previously only on-duty police officers acting in their official capacity could carry or use firearms in or around school grounds.
