Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker signed two pro-gun bills into law on Wednesday; one that removes the state’s 48-hour waiting period on handgun purchases and another which allows retired, off-duty, and out-of-state police officers to carry guns on school grounds.
The NRA-ILA weighs in on the former:
SB 35 repeals the waiting period requirement and allows a licensed firearm dealer to transfer ownership of a handgun following notice from the Wisconsin Department of Justice that the background check indicates that the purchaser is not prohibited from possessing a firearm.
The 48-Hour Rule 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 became an unnecessary time tax on both the purchaser and the dealer.
“This important measure marks the end of an antiquated law that’s served as nothing but a needless burden on law-abiding gun owners in the Badger state,” Chris W. Cox, executive director of the NRA’s Institute for Legislative Action, said in a statement.
As for the second measure, "backers of allowing off-duty and retired police officers to carry concealed weapons at schools said it would create another line of defense for students and teachers if a shooter attacks," reports the Associated Press.
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Both measures passed with bipartisan support earlier this month, although critics are now decrying the timing of the move, just a week after the Charleston massacre.
Defending the decision to go ahead with the signing, Walker said it had been scheduled before the shooting, and to cancel ‘would have given people the erroneous opinion' the bills 'had anything to do with what happened in Charleston.'
With a 100 percent rating from the NRA, Walker already had solid pro-gun credentials before signing the bills, something that will only serve to help him should he throw his hat in the ring for the White House.
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