Kathleen Vinehout departs from Democratic field on guns while Gov. Scott Walker stays mum on proposals

Molly Beck | Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

MADISON - Sen. Kathleen Vinehout has emerged from the Democratic field for governor as the most friendly toward advocates of gun ownership at a time when Gov. Scott Walker won't say how he feels about gun control measures supported by most of his challengers.

Despite a long record of supporting pro-gun ownership measures, Walker isn't saying whether he supports banning assault rifles, whether someone purchasing a handgun should have to wait 48 hours before receiving it or if he wants anyone seeking to buy a firearm to pass a background check first.

And among his Democratic challengers, Vinehout is the only candidate who doesn't want to ban assault rifles or reinstate the state's 48-hour waiting period between purchasing and receiving a handgun, which was repealed in 2015.

All the Democrats agree, however, that anyone seeking to purchase a firearm should pass a background check.

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Whether state and federal lawmakers should seek more restrictions on the ownership and use of guns has emerged as a key issue to this year's governor's race as lawmakers navigate the public desire for more safety from school shootings and providing comfort to gun owners who are protected by the Second Amendment.

And the recent discovery that Walker was photographed with an alleged Russian spy who met the governor at a meeting of the National Rifle Association has put the issue of guns and the NRA under the spotlight as Walker seeks a third term.

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Walker has signed into law a number of measures expanding the rights of gun owners, such as allowing residents to carry concealed weapons and providing more legal protections to people who shoot intruders in their homes.

He also signed a repeal of a state requirement forcing handgun purchasers to wait 48 hours to obtain a gun and a bill that allows off-duty and retired law-enforcement officers to carry concealed guns on school grounds. Walker's record has earned him an A rating from the NRA.

But three months before the November election, Walker isn't saying how he feels about measures now.

"Scott Walker believes in the freedoms guaranteed by the Second Amendment and has focused on his school safety plan rather than proposals that would undermine our constitutional rights," a campaign spokesman said in response to questions about the 48-hour waiting period, universal background checks, an assault rifle ban and whether he would seek any changes to laws related to firearms.

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Among Democrats, campaign finance reform advocate Mike McCabe, former state Rep. Kelda Roys and Madison Mayor Paul Soglin proposed the most restrictions.

All three support raising the minimum age to purchase a gun to 21; banning high-capacity magazines; banning armor-piercing bullets except for law enforcement officers; prohibiting anyone convicted of domestic violence from purchasing a gun; and limiting the number of firearms Wisconsin residents can purchase at one time or within one month.

Vinehout joined the three in wanting to prevent state laws from overriding local ordinances related to firearms.

State schools Superintendent Tony Evers and Vinehout also joined McCabe, Roys and Soglin in supporting banning so-called bump stocks, which can effectively turn semiautomatic weapons into fully automated firearms. Evers, McCabe, Roys and Soglin also proposed banning anyone suspected of terrorism from purchasing a gun.

Among other measures Democrats support:

Evers also said he would regulate military-style weapons.

Former Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chairman Matt Flynn said he would ban military-style weapons, including nuclear and chemical weapons, and shoulder-held missile launchers.

McCabe said he would require more funding for school security; require firearms dealers to keep weapons locked up prior to sale; allow family members or law enforcement to petition judges to temporarily suspend a person's firearm privileges if that person is considered a danger; and create a database for law enforcement to trace weapons.

Professional Firefighters of Wisconsin President Mahlon Mitchell also said he would seek to close private party and gun show loopholes related to background checks; and allow family members or law enforcement to petition judges to temporarily suspend a person's firearm privileges if that person is considered a danger.

close private party and gun show loopholes related to background checks; and allow family members or law enforcement to petition judges to temporarily suspend a person's firearm privileges if that person is considered a danger. Attorney Josh Pade said he would support "common sense gun safety measures."

Soglin said he would prohibit anyone subject to a restraining order from buying firearms; create a database allowing law enforcement to trace firearms; prohibit prop guns; restrict the carrying of weapons across state lines; include anyone convicted of domestic violence or drug abuse in a system used to perform background checks before purchasing guns; and require anyone convicted of such crimes to turn in their weapons to law enforcement.

Roys said she would close private party and gun show loopholes related to background checks; allow family members or law enforcement to petition judges to temporarily suspend a person's firearm privileges if that person is considered a danger; ensure gun dealers keep weapons locked up before selling them; and ban silencers.

Roys also said she would not provide state funding specifically for districts to hire armed guards in schools.

"Children should be free to learn without gun violence or the fear of such violence," Roys said. "That is why I disagree with putting guns in schools, whether arming teachers or hiring armed guards for schools."

Soglin and Vinehout also said they oppose arming teachers. Vinehout also said while she supports the current concealed carry law, which Walker also has said he supports, she would not allow concealed carry on school or college grounds. She said she also opposes allowing residents to carry concealed weapons without a permit.

Walker has not outright rebuked permitless concealed carry but has said he supports the state's current law — which requires a permit.

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Soglin and Vinehout also said they do not support so-called stand your ground laws, which provide protections for those who shoot someone in self-defense. Both said they support legal protections for anyone who shoots an intruder, but Soglin said only if the homeowner had nowhere safe to go or others were in life-threatening danger.