Just weeks after the tragic shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Governor Governor Tony Evers created a new statewide office dedicated to preventing gun violence on January 14.
The Governor also called on the Republican-controlled Legislature to pass a series of gun control and public safety measures, saying reducing violence should be a “shared priority that transcends politics.”
The Legislature has already rejected numerous common sense gun control measures put forward by Governor Evers, including universal background checks for gun purchases. But Governor Evers said the shooting at Abundant Life Christian School last month demonstrated the need for lawmakers to act.
“Reducing crime and violence should be an issue that receives earnest bipartisan support,” Governor Evers said at a news conference surrounded by gun control advocates, Democratic lawmakers, and the mayor and police chief of Madison who responded to last month’s school shooting.
Governor Evers signed Executive Order #254, creating a statewide Office of Violence Prevention. He said the office will work with local partners including law enforcement agencies, nonprofits, school districts and gun shop owners with the goal of reducing gun violence.
The office will also work to develop public education campaigns and promote safer communities. It will also award grants targeting a reduction in violence, in particular gun violence, to school districts, firearm dealers, law enforcement agencies, nonprofits, and government agencies.
“Gun violence continues to devastate communities across Milwaukee County and beyond. However, we have seen encouraging progress, including reduced homicide rates and positive outcomes from targeted violence prevention efforts, such as the Advance Peace program,” said County Executive David Crowley in a statement. “I’m deeply grateful to Governor Evers for making violence prevention a statewide priority. Collaboration is essential to building safer communities, and I look forward to working alongside the Evers Administration and the newly established Wisconsin Office of Violence Prevention to ensure Milwaukee County and all of Wisconsin is safe for everyone.”
Bipartisan coalitions supporting gun safety initiatives have advocated for years, saying that gun violence was an issue affecting every single American and every single Wisconsinite. Gun violence haunts every corner of society, from schools, to college campuses, places of worship, grocery stores, nightclubs, concerts, theaters, parks, and homes. In 2023, there have been more mass shootings in the U.S. than there were days in the year.
Wisconsin has felt a disproportionate expansion in its burden of grief, with the rate of gun violence increasing over the last decade by an astonishing 62%, compared to the national increase of 39%.
Also in Wisconsin, 65% of gun deaths are due to suicide, averaging about 443 deaths per year. While many people associate gun violence with urban cities like Milwaukee, it plagues every community in the state, with rural areas being the most affected.
In fact, the predominantly White community of Iron County has the highest number of gun-related deaths in the state, followed by Menominee and Jackson Counties. The majority of those tragic incidents were suicides. Recent data and trends indicate that the rate of such unnecessary deaths is only expected to increase in the future.
Alarmingly, more than 750 Wisconsinites were killed with guns in just one year, and firearm injuries continue to be the leading cause of death for children and teenagers in Wisconsin.
“Every Wisconsinite should have peace of mind knowing they and their loved ones are safe whether at home, at school, or out in the community,” said State Representative Lisa Subeck. “While Madison grieves the lives lost in the mass shooting at Abundant Life Christian School, we are taking action to ensure that our schools and neighborhoods are safe from gun violence.”
Governor Evers also announced $10 million in federal funding for the office. He said his state budget, which will be submitted to the Legislature in February, will request more state funding to continue the office over the next two years. Governor Evers also said he would be proposing a sweeping package of gun violence and public safety measures.
“I have spoken with and consoled far too many of my fellow Wisconsinites over the years. They have been individuals victimized by violence motivated by hate, for profit, and in a fit of rage or act of retribution,” said Darryl Morin, National President of Forward Latino. “I have also consoled those who have lost a loved one in a tragic act of domestic violence. And sadly, to many people take their own lives each year with a firearm.”
Morin emphasized the value of the Office of Violence Prevention to his and many other organizations, having the ability to distribute and coordinate resources, share best practices, and encourage collaboration between various entities and stakeholders.
“Violence knows no boundaries of geography or demography. It impacts us all, hence the need for this statewide effort,” Morin added. “We have seen the proven, positive impact the Governor’s investments in gun violence prevention have had. The creation of this office is the next step to a safer Wisconsin.”
Last October, Forward Latino and the 80% Coalition held what turned out to be the largest gun violence prevention event in state history, bringing together over 650 Wisconsinites from all over the state to Milwaukee.
Republican majorities in the Legislature shrunk after the November election, leading Governor Evers and Democrats to say they hoped for more bipartisanship and consideration of ideas that have been summarily rejected in the past.
But following the December 16 shooting at the Abundant Life Christian School in Madison that left a student, teacher, and the 15-year-old shooter dead, Republicans have not voiced support for any gun control measures backed by Democrats with significant public support.
Wisconsin polls have repeatedly shown high public demand for a variety of gun control measures.
“Given the devastation and heartbreak gun violence has caused across our state, a bold plan to use an evidence-based, yet community-centered approach to prevention has never been needed more urgently,” said Jeri Bonavia, Executive Director of Wisconsin Anti-Violence Effort (WAVE) Educational Fund. “ I commend Governor Evers for his leadership, vision, and commitment.”
Governor Evers in 2019 called a special session of the Legislature to pass a universal gun background check bill and a “red flag” proposal that would allow judges to take guns away from people determined to be a risk to themselves or others.
Republicans immediately adjourned without debating the measures. It was the first of a dozen special sessions Evers has called since 2019, none of which have been successful.
Democrats have reintroduced those and more than two dozen other gun safety bills over the past six years, but Republicans have repeatedly refused to take them up. Republicans, instead, have introduced bills that would expand access to guns and discussed arming teachers.
In 2022, Governor Evers vetoed Republican bills that would have allowed holders of concealed carry permits to have firearms in vehicles on school grounds and in churches located on the grounds of a private school.
