Wisconsin: 48 Hour Waiting Period Repeal Legislation to Be Heard Tomorrow in Committee

Tomorrow, a hearing will be held in the Assembly Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety on Assembly Bill 49 at 10:30 A.M.  If passed and enacted into law, AB 49 would repeal Wisconsin’s antiquated 48 hour waiting period for handgun purchases.  It is critical that you contact members of the Assembly Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety immediately and urge them to support this important legislation.

The 48-Hour Rule for handgun purchases was first enacted in Wisconsin in 1976, prior to background checks on handgun sales.  Due to the advent of instant background checks such as the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), the 48 hour waiting period has become an unnecessary time tax on both the purchaser and the dealer.  AB 49 would repeal the waiting period requirement and allow a licensed firearm dealer to transfer ownership of a handgun following notice from the Department of Justice that the background check indicates that the purchaser is not prohibited from possessing a firearm.  

Using the contact information provided below, it is critical that you contact members of the Assembly Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety and politely request their support for Assembly Bill 49 when it comes before them tomorrow.

Assembly Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety:

Representative Joel Kleefisch (R-38), Chairman
Phone: (608) 266-8551
Email: [email protected]

Representative Jesse Kremer (R-59), Vice Chairman
Phone: (608) 266-9175
Email: [email protected]

Representative Mark Born (R-39)
Phone: (608) 266-2540
Email: [email protected]

Representative Evan Goyke (D-18)
Phone: (608) 266-0645
Email: [email protected]

Representative Cody Horlacher (R-33)
Phone: (608) 266-5715
Email: [email protected]

Representative La Tonya Johnson (D-17)
Phone: (608) 266-5580
Email: [email protected]

Representative Frederick Kessler (D-12)
Phone: (608) 266-5813
Email: [email protected]

Representative Todd Novak (R-51)
Phone: (608) 266-7502
Email: [email protected]

Representative Jim Ott (R-23)
Phone: (608) 266-0486
Email: [email protected]

Representative Jessie Rodriguez (R-21)
Phone: (608) 266-0610
Email: [email protected]

Representative John Spiros (R-86)
Phone: (608) 266-1182
Email: [email protected]

Representative JoCasta Zamarripa (D-8)
Phone: (608) 267-7669
Email: [email protected]