Van H. Wanggaard, Wisconsin State Senator from 21st district | Official Website
Van H. Wanggaard, Wisconsin State Senator from 21st district | Official Website
According to the Wisconsin State Legislature's official website, the bill was described as follows: "a sales and use tax exemption for the sale of gun safes. (FE)".
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill proposes a sales and use tax exemption for the sale and storage of gun safes specifically designed for storing guns in Wisconsin. It clarifies that the exemption applies solely to gun safes and does not extend to other storage items such as locking gun cabinets and racks. The intention is to support gun safety by making gun safes more accessible financially. Amendments to current statutes set forth a presumption that all sales are subject to tax unless proven otherwise, requiring documentation to justify non-taxable sales, except for specified exemptions. The bill will take effect on the first day of the third month following its publication.
The bill was co-authored by Representative Adam Neylon (Republican-15th District), Senator Tim Carpenter (Democrat-3rd District), Senator Kristin Dassler-Alfheim (Democrat-18th District), Senator Dan Feyen (Republican-20th District), and Senator Dianne H. Hesselbein (Democrat-27th District). It was co-sponsored by Representative Clinton M. Anderson (Democrat-45th District), Representative Deb Andraca (Democrat-23rd District), and Representative David Armstrong (Republican-67th District), along with 40 other co-sponsors.
Van H. Wanggaard has authored or co-authored another five bills since the beginning of the 2025 session, with none of them being enacted.
Wanggaard graduated from Gateway Technical College.
Wanggaard, a Republican, was elected to the Wisconsin State Senate in 2015 to represent the state's 21st Senate district, replacing previous state senator John Lehman.
In Wisconsin, the legislative process starts when a senator, constituent, group, or agency proposes an idea for a bill. After drafting, the bill is introduced, numbered, and referred to a committee for review and public input. If approved, it moves through three readings and votes in both the Senate and Assembly. Once both chambers pass the same version, the bill goes to the governor, who can sign it, veto it, or let it become law without a signature. Only a small share of bills introduced each session ultimately become law. You can learn more about the Wisconsin legislative process here.
| Bill Number | Date Introduced | Short Description |
|---|---|---|
| SB12 | 02/03/2025 | A sales and use tax exemption for the sale of gun safes. (FE) |
| SB6 | 01/24/2025 | Impoundment of vehicles used in certain traffic offenses |
| SB5 | 01/24/2025 | Battery or threat to jurors and providing a penalty |
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