Madison, WI – In response to Governor Tony Evers’ recent State of the State Address, Senator Chris Larson from Milwaukee has expressed his support for the governor’s stance on gun reform. Larson emphasized the urgent need for legislative action to address gun violence in Wisconsin.
“As families across Wisconsin continue to be devastated by the scourge of deadly gun violence, our legislature must listen to them and pass laws that are proven to work at saving lives,” stated Larson. He highlighted Governor Evers’ call for measures such as universal background checks, a red flag law, safe storage requirements, and mandatory waiting periods for firearm purchases.
Larson pointed out that these proposals align with the views of many Wisconsin residents who support these “common-sense, life-saving measures” regardless of their political affiliations. He also reflected on past legislative inaction by referencing former Representative Jonathan Brostoff’s advocacy for similar reforms five years ago. Brostoff’s death by suicide underscores the importance of addressing mental health issues related to gun access.
The senator noted that 85% of suicide attempts involving a firearm result in death compared to less than 3% for drug overdoses. With over 60% of gun deaths in Wisconsin attributed to suicide, Larson stressed that most are preventable tragedies.
Larson shared a personal connection to this issue, recounting how he received news on November 4 about his friend Jonathan taking his own life with a gun. “It’s a story that’s all too common,” he said, urging action so such incidents do not become accepted as inevitable.
In closing, Larson thanked Governor Evers for his leadership on this matter and called upon Republican colleagues to prioritize public safety over politics: “I hope my Republican colleagues can find it within themselves to put politics aside, listen to common sense, and start saving lives.”
