Press Release: Gov. Evers Signs Executive Order #54 Calling for a Special Session on Legislation to End Gun Violence

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers today signed Executive Order #54 calling the Legislature to meet in a special session on Nov. 7, 2019 to address gun violence in the state of Wisconsin. 

"Since taking office in January, I have called on the Legislature to take action and pass commonsense gun safety reform time and time again, giving Republican leadership the opportunity to hear the people of our state and to do the right thing," Gov. Evers said. "Today I am delivering on my promise to call a special session to address gun violence across our state and I'm calling on Republicans to work with Democrats to get this done."

In the Executive Order, Gov. Evers requests the Legislature act on two critical proposals that are supported by 80% of Wisconsinites. The proposals outlined include: 

• Legislation to close the background check loophole by requiring universal background checks for all firearm purchases in the state of Wisconsin. 
• Legislation to create an extreme risk protection order (ERPO) process that will give family members and law enforcement officials the tools they need to intervene when an individual is at risk of harming themselves or others. 

Executive Order #54 can be found here.