MADISON (WKOW) — A grassroots organization is advocating for two gun safety bills at the center of a special session called by Governor Tony Evers.

More than 150 WAVE members and coalition partners were at the State Capitol Thursday, urging legislators to support two measures.

One bill would require background checks on all gun sales. The other, known as the “Red Flag Law”, gives families the ability to petition the court for an extreme risk protective order (ERPO), which will allow for the temporary removal of firearms when loved ones are in imminent danger of hurting themselves or others.

“Without a doubt, these policies would prevent gun violence,” said Jeri Bonavia, executive director of WAVE Educational Fund. “So, it’s shameful that Republican leaders are parroting the gun lobby’s favorite far-fetched excuses in their efforts to prevent the passage of these lifesaving measures.”

“Young people are being shot and killed. They see that our children are being asked to stand up to gunmen so that our legislators don’t have to stand up to the NRA,” Bonavia added.

Wisconsin Senate Republican Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald (R-Juneau) has said he won’t hold hearings or debate the bills.

Fitzgerald says his intention is to convene the special session and then immediately adjourn it without taking action.

Evers and Democrats point to polls showing 80% support for the ideas as reason to vote on them. But Fitzgerald says Evers is “playing politics” with the issue.