(Madison) – It will be easier to prosecute illegal straw purchasing of firearms after Governor Scott Walker signed a bill authored by State Senator Alberta Darling (R-River Hills) on Wednesday. Senator Darling says her bill is based on recommendations from the Milwaukee Police Department.
“Criminals were very aware of these loopholes,” Darling said, “Thanks to Governor Walker, prosecutors should be able to make gun charges stick and get dangerous criminals off the streets.”
According to the Milwaukee Police Department, 2,420 guns were recovered in 2016, a rate of 407 per 100,000 people. Chicago, a much larger city, recovered guns at a much lower rate of 247 per 100,000 people.
Wisconsin’s new gun laws will:
- Create Penalties for Human Holsters: Another loophole criminals exploit is to have someone else carry the weapon for them. This bill makes it a felony for an individual to provide or possess a firearm for a person who is prohibited from possessing a firearm.
Governor Walker also signed Senator Darling’s and Representative Dan Knodl’s bill allowing private industries to compete in a fair and open process with Badger State Industries in sign making. Badger State Industries is a program which uses prison labor in an effort to rehabilitate inmates. The change is expected to save taxpayers money through competitive bidding.
Senator Darling represents portions of Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Washington and Waukesha Counties.