Today, Governor Scott Walker (R) signed two NRA-backed bills into law, Assembly Bill 368 and Senate Bill 527.
Assembly Bill 368, sponsored in the Assembly by state Representative John Spiros (R-86) and in the Senate by state Senator Thomas Tiffany (R-12), repeals the restriction on the sale and purchase of long guns in non-contiguous states. This long-awaited legislation aligns Wisconsin with forty other states that already allow their residents to purchase and sell rifles and shotguns in non-contiguous states, provided that the purchase or sale complies with state and federal law. AB 368 repeals Wisconsin’s outdated restriction and allows residents of the Badger State the freedom to purchase and sell long guns in states beyond their immediate borders. AB 368 passed in the Wisconsin Assembly by a 94-3 vote on January 21, and passed unanimously in the state Senate on February 18.
Senate Bill 527, sponsored by state Senators Scott Fitzgerald (R-13) and Dale Schultz (R-17), is a shooting range protection bill that expands the provisions of current law concerning zoning conditions related to noise. This bill provides that a person who owns or operates a sport shooting range is not subject to state or local zoning conditions or rules related to noise and non-conforming use. SB 527 also protects the range owner or operator from civil liability, ensuring the future of Wisconsin's shooting ranges. Shooting ranges are critical to competitive and recreational shooters, hunters, law enforcement and individuals who just want to practice for self-defense. Ranges should be accessible to everyone and SB 527 ensures that they are protected for generations to come. SB 527 passed in the state Senate by a 19-13 vote on February 18, and passed in the Wisconsin Assembly by a 65-30 vote on March 18.
The NRA thanks Governor Walker for signing these NRA-backed bills into law. We also thank all state lawmakers who voted for both AB 368 and SB 527, as well as their respective bill sponsors:
Representative John Spiros (R-86)
Senator Thomas Tiffany (R-12)
Senator Scott Fitzgerald (R-13)
Senator Dale Schultz (R-17)
